Lizer Abroad

2005-05-25T15:23:00.000+01:00

I love Scotland

A Picture Party

2005-05-23T22:13:00.000+01:00

FINALLY! I haven't been able to post pictures in ages... I don't know why. BUT... here are the highlights of May.

I might try and go back and add pictures in the approprete spots... like especially back to Venice and when my Mama was here, so check back in the April archives once in awhile. I'll let ya know when that happens.

2005-05-23T22:05:00.000+01:00

Liza in Ireland!

2005-05-23T22:04:00.001+01:00

Friends I made on an Ireland bus tour. Joan from Ontairo and Sam from Australia

2005-05-23T22:04:00.000+01:00

Everyone IS Irish on St. Patty's Day!

2005-05-23T22:03:00.001+01:00

At the Guinness Factory

2005-05-23T22:03:00.000+01:00

Mary, Me, Rachel, Matt before May Ball

2005-05-23T22:02:00.001+01:00

Mary and Liza. Mary was my date for the Ball

2005-05-23T22:02:00.000+01:00

She might be short, but she's a strong Nebraskan...

2005-05-23T21:59:00.001+01:00

My babie duckies

2005-05-23T21:59:00.000+01:00

Dumfermline Abbey... Burial spot of Robert the Bruce

2005-05-23T21:56:00.000+01:00

Seriously the coolest encounter with a bird ever! I took more pics of this peacock than anything else the entire trip!

2005-05-23T21:55:00.000+01:00

Horsing around at the Old Course

2005-05-23T21:54:00.000+01:00

Psychin' myself up for a splash in the sea

2005-05-23T21:53:00.000+01:00

Out with flatmates and friends at Ma Bell's

Three!

2005-05-23T21:26:00.000+01:00

My room is clearing out... the packing situation looks pretty good... saying some good-byes... its all kinda crazy.

Oh wow. I'm on the HOME page in my planner. I drew fireworks on "Thursday" because I'm cool like that.

I'll Miss...
Jannetta's.
Oooooohhhhhhhhhhh. You know the Grand Ole Creamery On Grand Ave? Right. It definetly has a soul sister in Scotland. We have gone every week we've been here, without fail. It was the first place Rachel and I ate on our first day here. (Of course ice cream!) Sundaes come with funny decorations and my fav cone combo is caramel shortbread and espresso. Mmmm.

Jannetta's!

Ooooo, I finally got pictures to post again! Hurrah!

I can't wait...
Man... just to be home!
I'm ready to bring a lot of self-knowledge about my self... some worldly knowledge... some excitement for the future in front of me... back to what is waiting for me.

Self-Portrait (at the Guinness Factory in Dublin, if you must know... )

Four Days!

2005-05-22T21:02:00.000+01:00

I'll Miss...
The Albany Park Zoo.
Just kidding, it's not really a zoo. But inevitably everytime I step outside my door around Albany Park I see: baby ducks and their mama, lots and lots of bunnies and rabbits, male ducks (who don't seem to take care of their babies!!!), birds, and a cat. But I'm not so fond of the cat because it looks at me weird. Oh, and sometimes I see snails.

I can't wait...
for real grocery stores!
Will aisles and aisles of all kinds of different food. No more of this tiny Tesco Metro buisness.

Five Days!

2005-05-21T12:53:00.000+01:00

I tried to start packing today... My suitcase looks TINY! A miracle is needed and soon. Maybe someone can hook me up with a carpet bag like Mary Poppins'??

The countdown continues...

I'll miss...
how drinking is perceived here.
Drinking is SO different here. The goal is NOT to get as trashed as possible, but it is as completely social as getting a cup of coffee with a friend.

I can't wait...
for a summer in Minneapolis!
I'm just looking forward to soooo many things... the list gets longer everyday! Twins games, movies in Loring Park, the Farmer's market, bike rides, running around the Lakes... hooray!

Six Days!

2005-05-20T18:36:00.000+01:00

I'm done with SCHOOL! I had a three hour exam this afternoon and woof... that is not a fun experience. It was SO awesome though because one of the essay questions was "Give a summary of John Wesley's Social Ethics" and I left that one for the end so that when my brain was totally about to shut down, I got to write an essay about my hero! It made me so happy!

And we're gonna see Star Wars tonight... exciting!

I'll Miss...
a stress free life.
My four month vacation is almost over... oh no! There have been certain stressors in my life, but mainly trivial things like worrying about bus schedules, and dirty bathrooms, and what pubs to go to at night. Nothing at all like my last semester at the Ham where I was drowning trying to balance 18 credits, 3 jobs, 2 roommates, several orgs and always important social engagements. I have learned to RELAX here! At first I felt SO guilty that I wasn't busybusybusy from morning til night... but I got over that pretty quick!

I can't wait...
for the delicious selection of resturants in the Twin Cities metro area, including:
Pad Thai
Chipolte
the Black Sea
Noodles
Pizza Luce
Dairy Queen
and Pad Thai

Seven Days!

2005-05-19T23:42:00.000+01:00

I'll Miss...
Walking.
I walk everywhere I go in St. Andrews and even when I leave St. Andrews, I walk to the bus station. Its about a 20 minute walk into town for classes or groceries or to the pub and I walk to town and back at least once a day, sometimes three times. But oh, I can't even describe what an amazing walk it is. Along the sea, over the teeny harbor and past fishing boats and lobster cages, up to the ruins of the cathedral, and then into town.

I can't wait...
To go on dates.
Mostly I mean the romantical kind, and for that I am all covered. But I also like other kinds of dates like: coffee dates, ice cream dates, play dates, knitting dates, movie dates, and crazy random dates... so if you want to see ME and like those things, you should give me a jingle after May 26th, okay?

EiGht dAys!

2005-05-18T11:59:00.000+01:00

Whooooooooo

I'll miss...
Getting dressed up and going out with my flatmates to the pubs. It has been so fun everytime... even when they told me I needed to wear more "bling-bling." I wish I had gotten to go out with them more.

I can't wait...
To to go church. I've gone to church here... but not reguarly. I was on adventures too many weekends to go to a church of a regular basis and find a church home. I miss it like you would not believe. I've been to mass at Notre Dame, a Good Friday service in Venice, evensong at St. Patrick's in Dublin, and several here in St. Andrews and they have been amazing. But not like at home...

Nine Days!

2005-05-17T22:05:00.000+01:00

I'll miss...
How incredibly kind the Scots are. From the second I got to the airport in Glasgow to just this afternoon, I have been shown again and again incredible kindness by these people. Sincerly helpful in every respect... ready to talk, to tell their story and hear yours. This afternoon I was walking home and since I'm a fastwalker I caught up and passed an older man. He was strolling along, wearing a plaid tweed cap and smoking a pipe. He turned and commented on what a lovely evening it was. I agreed and he started talking about how much he loves to walk past the cathedral ruins down to the sea. And we walked down to the harbor together before we went our seperate ways, talking about where he was from and where I was from and how my studies at university were going. Completely awesome.

I can't wait...
To drive my car! Oh I love my beautiful baby car! [...love is surely blind since that car is neither beautiful nor a baby...] I can't wait to clean her up inside and out and drive with the windows down and the radio up! I hope she's still kicking...

The Countdown!

2005-05-16T14:54:00.000+01:00

I have been alternating between laughing and crying lately because... well, my semester is just about over. In just a few days I'll be packed up and traveling back to Minneapolis. I am ridiculously giddy to get to the airport and see a tall blond boy and then spend the evening with my fam. But... I can't imagine what I am going to do without the sea as my backyard and WHO is going to watch over the ducklings who live at my doorstep???

So to countdown the last ten days in Scotland, everyday I'll post one thing I'm going to miss about my semester here and one thing I'm excited to do when I get home! Hurray!

TEN DAYS!

I'll miss...
Treading cautiously over cobblestone sidewalks and cutting through the narrow alley ways in town. (That have names like: Loggies Lane and Butts Wynd... heeee hee)

I can't wait to...
See the shoes I left behind!!! Oh those poor poor shoes that haven't been worn since January! I miss them. Especially my Docs. And my blue reeboks. And my green cordory ones from Old Navy. And my red MaryJanes. And alllllll my flip-flops!

IRELAND

2005-05-10T20:04:00.000+01:00

Here I am in Dublin, Ireland... the eleventh country of my travels. Dublin is a super awesome city... it has a little bit of everything that I like... cathedrals, museums, parks, shopping, bagels, babies, castles...

I was a little unsure how traveling along was going to go, but now I wish I had gone on a solo trip earlier... it's really great! I like spending time with me, which is a good thing, because if i didn't like spending time with myself, why would anyone else?

I spent a lot of yesterday walking around, getting acquainted with the city... walking in larger and larger circles like our study abroad book said?? Not quite! And today I saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College and had a little epiphany. Not so much the Book of Kells, which is totally awesome and exactly how I think the Bible should be celebrated... as a work of art, and seen that way through art on the pages as well as the words. But in the Long Room of the library. I walked in thar room and tears leapt into my eyes. It is magnificent. Like... the same architechture as great cathedrals, vaulted ceiling and columns stretching up up up.... but filled with books! And just like those cathedrals were build to magnify God, this building was such a tribute to books and education... ah. It got to me. I loved it.

Oh and of course I went to the Guinness factory/museum today too. How could I not? It was a trip... a multi-media extravaganza. Plus a pint. So... it was worth it.

Although there is still TON to see in Dublin, I decided I want to see the land of Ireland. So tomorrow I'm going on a day bus tour to Wicklow, through the Wicklow Mountains. I'm very excited too see Ireland be GREEN and maybe there will be more baby sheepies because I love them.

Wrapping Up?

2005-05-03T18:59:00.000+01:00

Crazily enough... It's MAY! And my time abroad is winding down. It is hard to think about, I'll be honest... but there will be plenty of time for reflection on that later on.

Now, I am busy planning out my last weeks here! Like usual I'll be on the go for a majority of the time. There are big events this weekend... May Ball is on Friday night and sounds like it will be quite the night! You can't turn around at St. Andrews without getting handed a flyer for some sort of ball... but this is the Biggie. The Biggie Ball. I think they should call it that... it has a nice ring to it. Anyway, super excited for that and looking bea-u-ti-ful!

Then, Saturday night we're heading down to Edinburgh to cheer Rachel on in a 10K race on Sunday morning, with plenty of time for shopping included.

And it just keeps getting more and more exciting because on Monday I'm taking off on a solo trip to Dublin for a few days. I just booked my tickets and there is a book about Dublin on my desk waiting to be picked up. Extrordinarily excited to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College, but other than that, does anyone have any suggestions for must-see Dublin activities?? I'm still trying to decide if I should trek out to Cork and the Blarney Stone... I'll see how it all shakes out.

I'll be back in Scotland for two more weeks, my two final exams, and the frightening task of packing up what I came with... plus the few odds and ends I've picked up since I arrived in Europe on January 16th. Yikes.

May 25th, I'll head down to London and spend the night with MacKenzie Moon, another Hamline study-abroader and London expert... she's studying abroad for a full 12 months!! And she'll send me off to the airport on Thursday morning... and next stop?

Minneapolis!!!

May Dip

2005-05-02T10:16:00.000+01:00

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Lemme tell you something about the North Sea.

It's cold.

An Informational Post

2005-04-27T14:31:00.000+01:00

So I have a 2500 word essay due on Friday at noon. In my head, that is diddily squat compared to the 5000 word essay I turned in 2 weeks ago. But in my heart, I know it is actually an 8 page paper and something I should start writing. It is Wednesday afternoon and all I have is a weak thesis and a shaky outline. However, I have been very busy getting ready to write this paper. How busy you might ask? Let me tell you.

First I thought that wearing my Hamline sweatshirt might stimulate my brain by reminding me of past papers successfully written at the last second. So I put that on.

Then I thought waking up bright and early and walking into town and spending the morning at the library would be a quiet and distract-less place for me to write.

But after about an hour of that, I got hungry. So I went to the BeanScene for some coffee and lo and behold... they have BAGELS! With cream cheese! Which, let me tell you, I have not seen since my feet left the grand soil of the US of A! So then I felt compelled to write a lengthy entry in my journal about the wonder that is a toasted bagel with cream cheese.

Then I realized I wasn't getting much work done... a hem... So I walked back to my house to get down to buisness behind my computer. But I got distracted by my bed. So I took just a leetle tiny nap and woke up refreshed and rarring to go!

But being in my bed had reminded me of a dream I had about celery. I'm sorry. I dream about celery, yes. I can't help the insanity of my dreams. But anyway, I decided that making ants-on-a-log would help me write my paper. So far, its helping me write this...

I have also given myself a manicure in the hopes that pretty finger-tips would make typing more fun.

Right. Okay. Time to write.

Oh and I also got extremely excited to read in the online version of the Star Trib that an H&M is opening at the Mall of America! Ahh! H&M is a clothing store that sells really cute clothes. Not gonna lie, I've spent hours and hours in H&M during this trip... but no money, oh no... no money. Riiiiiight.

Oh, by the way... Scotland is great. I saw Flogging Molly last week. That was amazing. Shauna, Rachel and I thought of you! I'll give you back your CD in June... hee hee. And I saw my Aunt and Uncle, Max and Pat, in Glasgow one last time before they left Scotland after their two week adventure here. And we called a bunch of our fam, including my Grandma and aunts Margaret and Barbara. And Rachel and I went shopping for the May Ball on May 6th. Oooh, so excited. I'm gonna be pretty.

Hey, is my paper written yet?

studying abroad

2005-04-26T00:53:00.000+01:00

I woke-up this morning to the news that a fellow Hamline-ite studying in Trier, Germany took his own life Sunday morning.

I'm quite shaken and although I wasn't extraordinarily close to him, I consider him a friend... especially since I've known him as a fellow Manor resident, a fellow English major, another survivor of Alice Moorhead's Literary Theory class, a good friend of Scott and Graham, and as another student studying abroad.

I'm hearing and responding to this from my perspective as a student abroad. I don't know the details of Manney's life or his experiences in Trier. But I do know first hand the emotions of studying abroad. And that is what terrifies me right now. I remember telling Denton not so long ago that although studying abroad has the misleading reputation of being glamorous, exciting, and constant fun fun fun... it ain't! It can be lonely, scary, and frustrating. I love my life in Scotland but still find tears in my eyes on random days when I think of the Minneapolis skyline or know I'm missing my free ice cream cone at Ben and Jerry's or can't get over how empty my hand feels without Denton's in it.

It has been a hard day... I've never felt so far away. I am trying so hard to understand. I thought Crossing Boarders was supposed to prepare us for studying abroad. I thought our weekly e-mails to each other were supposed to remind us we aren't alone. My heart goes out to Manney's family and his friends at Hamline... But also to all of us who are studying scattered across the globe.

Best Spring Break Ever....

2005-04-13T00:42:00.000+01:00

Well. WOOF! It was hands down the best spring break I have ever had. I'm definetly moving up in the world since last year's spring break found me in Indianapolis and the year before that I was in Omaha. It feels like I have circumnavigated the globe since I left St. Andrews on March 23rd. And although I am sure you would love to hear every detail of the past three weeks, it would probably take 5,000 words... and I'm so not up for that. Instead, how about a recap?

Since March 23rd, I have.....

been in the following types of transporation:
4 airplanes
1 automobile
7 million buses
4 taxis
6 trains
a dozen ferries
4 subways
1 gondola

been in the following countries:
scotland
england
france (airport only)
italy

successfully navigated public transportation in the following cities:
london
venice
inverness
edinburgh
glasgow

visited the following castles:
st. andrews castle
urqurht castle on the banks of inverness
edinburgh castle
stirling castle
(and i saw buckingham palace... does that count as a castle???)

visited the following cathedrals:
st. andrews cathredral (ruins)
san marco bascillica (st. marks) in venice
glasgow cathedral

climbed up:
st. rules tower, st. andrews
the campanile (bell tower) of san marco

climbed down:
into the mines (and counter-mines!) under st. andrews castle

eaten the following notable foods:
gelato (and lots of it)
a nutella snack
fish and chips
several traditional scottish breakfasts (sausage, bacon, egg, mushrooms, tomato)
several untraditional rachel-n-liza breakfasts (cadbury creme egss and orange fanta)

drunk the following notable drinks :
irn bru and whiskey (not recommended)

seen the following relations:
1 mother
1 aunt
1 uncle

fascinating miscellanious experiences:
tormented drunk boys who had hiccups
went running in italy
cried when i saw my mom at the airport
contemplated stealing baby sheeps
cooked dinner with my mom
threw up fish and chips
saw a snail
was away from home for easter for the first time in my entire life
looked for the loch ness monster
decided to get married in a field of daffodils ... someday!
visited one royal botanical garden
learned what monkey puzzle trees are
lost rachel ... and found her again
spent 5 hours in a train station in london

accomplished the following vital task:
a 6 month visa stamp in my passport!!

Guest Writer

2005-04-03T23:24:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

This isn't Liza--it's her Mom! I arrived in Scotland and Liza was waiting for me exactly as planned. Scotland is beautiful and Liza has been a fantastic tour guide. So far we've walked all along the beach right by her house. I can't believe I'm looking out at the North Sea! She said there were no steps leading down to the beach so we had to jump off a wall (about 6 ft.) down to the sand. Well I did it but I made an imprint in the sand sort of like the Olympic long jumpers! St. Andrews is the most charming little town ever. We've toured the ruins of the cathedral and the castle--both fascinating. We climbed down into some ancient tunnels under the castle where we were almost crawling to get through--wet walls, dripping ceiling, and a warning to enter at your own risk! Sat. we took the train to Inverness and hiked along Loch Ness--yes, the subject of my youthful research paper! Although we didn't see Nessie, we are sure there's something out there!! The lake is unbelievably beautiful and then we toured Urquhart Castle, which stands on a point of land sticking out into the water.

Images of Scotland so far: green grassy hillsides dotted with sheep and their baby lambs--bright yellow daffodils everywhere--old stone walls winding through fields--shaggy, sharp-horned highland cattle, compact cars speeding along on the "wrong" side of the road--I love it!

I have to go get ready for our trip to Edinburgh tomorrow.

-Mum of Liza

On the Go

2005-04-02T08:25:00.000+01:00

Got back from Venice on Thursday and on the way back to St. Andrews, picked MOM up from the airport!

I took her exploring St. Andrews yesterday. We slid around in mud, I made her jump off a wall down to the beach, we climbed all over castle and cathedral ruins, crawled around mines (and counter-mines) underneath the castle, and walked up a million steps to the top of St. Rules tower. Don't worry, I'm keeping up with her!

We're having a BLAST and are leaving in 5 minutes to head up to Inverness. So that she can see the Loch Ness Monster and prove the thesis of her high school paper, that "there IS something out there!"

Lots more stories and pictures soon!

in venice

2005-03-28T10:09:00.000+01:00

chao friends!

im posting this from italy...how exciting is that? st. andrews is on spring break so my trusty travelling pal, rachel wyman and i have found ourselves in the italian paradise of venice. we're spending six nights and seven days in the lovely 'camping fusina' hotel resort. ha, just kidding. we're sleeping in a trailer 'cabin' and walking to the bathooms (where TP was NOT provided) to brush our teeth.

venice is an island... kind of a surprise to us! and we are staying on the mainland, which means a lot of public transportation to the actual venice. lots of buses... well that means lots of trouble/fun for me and rachel. we have chased after buses approximatly 4 times... rachel has forgotten(or something)to get OFF the bus at the right stop, even though I did get off, and i have been mauled by babies in strollers and old men with grocery cart things numerous times. they really pack people on the bus here... let me tell you.

it was super hard to be away from home on easter... but rachel and i celebrated in high style. first by eating cadbury creme eggs and drinking orange fanta for breakfast and then by sitting on top of san marco basillica (st. marks) in the heart of venice and reading the easter story to each other.

more stories later... now it is off to the island of murano to watch glass being made! cool!

Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon

2005-03-13T16:07:00.000Z

I love lazy Sundays in every country. Today has been an especially beautiful day in St. Andrews. When it is sunny here, it is just SO sunny. The ocean has been gorgeous this weekend. On Friday, the tide was so high it was lapping up to the retaining wall that divides Albany Park (and my house) from the shore. It just seemed so big... And the flowers here... Oh. There are daffodils and crocuses EVERYWHERE. There is a garden in particular near some old university buildings where the entire lawn is covered by crocuses... so breath-taking. It seems that everyday I discover something new about St. Andrews that makes it feel more friendly, more familiar, more like my home.

Friday night I was out with 2 friends and we took a kinda back-road way back to Albany, through the residential part of town rather than through the center of town. All of a sudden we came across a playground with swings and of course spent a good chunk of time running around, and swinging and laughing... There was just something about swinging at night and looking up at the stars and seeing the darkness that I knew was the ocean... It's the little moments like this that are going to stick in my head when I remember Scotland in 10 years.

I spent yesterday in Dundee, along with 5 other residents of Albany Park. Dundee is the third (or fourth?) largest city in Scotland. I think it goes: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen... Anyway, it is the closest city to St. Andrews, only a twenty minutes bus trip. It was an absolutly teriffic day. We shopped... a lot! And ate delicious Chinese food, (St. A's is severely lacking in the ethinic food dept... There IS a Thai restaruant... but its a little out of my price range... bummer) and saw The Life Aquatic. Ahhh, what a great movie! I love Bill Murray. It has been SO long since I have done the shopping-dinner-movie thing... it was great!

Traveling to Dundee made me realize that for the first time in 21 years, I am NOT living in a city. It was kinda crazy... in the middle of the shopping district in Dundee, I grabbed Kristi's arm, and said, "Look at all the people!!" I was thilled to see so many people and to be in a crowd. But at the same time, I love St. Andrews and enjoy SO much the "town" atmosphere. I didn't miss the city until I was in one again. Interesting.

I also realized that the entire contents of my wallet has been altered. Like, my Hamline ID is covered up with my St. Andrews ID. And my MN driver's license is now my International Student ID card. And where my cash card was, a Royal Bank of Scotland ATM card is now. And I have a cell phone "top-up" card and not a Video Update card. Its just symbolic is all I'm saying...

Take good care everyone!

Prince William Sighting #1

2005-03-09T23:42:00.000Z

Yes, it is true... I saw the Heir to the British Throne!

It was very very very ironic since just the night before Rachel, Mary, Kristi and I had literally RACED across St. Andrews to get to the pub that William was supposedly at. Rachel got the tip from her new Scottish boy, and we got to the pub just about two minutes too late! BUMMER!

But...

Friday morning I was racing around town, returning library books and buying batteries for my trip to Bath. And as I hurriedly made my way to the bus station, I stopped at an intersection to wait for a big black SUV to turn in front of me. And I was kind of hesitating because I wasn't sure if I should cross the street or wait for the car to turn, when I realized... THE PRINCE was in the passenger seat. I think I did a pretty good job of not staring too much at him... But it was definietly him. And he definetly saw me too... We made eye contact. I'm pretty sure. Oh yeah.

And then I stood on the corner and squealed like a little girl.

An Update

2005-03-03T17:15:00.000Z

PHOTOS! Click Here!
(These are just some funny pics of my casa. If you click the 'View Slideshow' link in the righthand corner, you see full size pictures. And make sure you scroll all the way down to read the captions.)

Don't worry, I am still alive and well over here in Scotland! I've spent the last two weeks learning a lot about true St. Andrews life and culture and trying to find my place in it. I had a little case of the study-abroad-blues last week, but this week has been fabulous.

It has taken a little while to get used to going out several nights a week. Everyone goes out on Tuesday nights, which is fine since I don't have class on Wednesdays. Which makes Wednesdays feel like Saturdays and then Thursdays feel like Mondays. However, Thursdays also feel like Fridays since I don't have class on Friday anyway. So people go out Thursday night, and Friday night, and Saturday. So if you're keeping track... there are four Friday nights every week in Scotland... and I'm constantly in a state of confusion as to what day it actually IS!

Monday I went to a supposed lecture on Globalization with one of Rachel's housemates, but according to the guys we had a drink with afterwards, it might as well have been a Socialist party meeting. Anyway, the little I understood was interesting, but the real fun started afterwards. A couple of us went to the pub across the street and one of the guys bought us a round and we started talking about the lecture and politics and America (of course). It was my first real political conversation here, and luckily the guy I was talking to did most of the talking and didn't express too much hatred for the US or Bush. He conveyed that there wasn't hatred towards America, just lack of respect.

I stayed out much longer than I intended ... which is so easy to do ... because of this buisness of buying rounds! I actually really like it, but it was both funny and frustrating on Monday. Hamza had bought the first round for us, then Sarah bought a round, and by the time it was my turn I realized that a) it was already 11 and b) i didn't want another drink and c) i didn't have enough money for 4 drinks but d) if people are buying you drinks, you have to buy them drinks. So borrowing money from Sarah, I bought the third round, downed my Pepsi and tried to leave... but I couldn't, because the 4th guy (whose name I never caught, so I'll just call him the mohawk guy) had brought me another drink! Oh, Scotland!

**EDIT**I'm doing more than drinking here, I promise. But Tuesday, I went out with my housemates and that was absolutly a riot. I went downstairs and asked if I looked alright (because they get all glam to go out) and Cate, from Belfast gave me a critical once-over and said, "You need more Bling." (Bling = really flashy jewlery) I laughed so hard because, well, it was hilarious. She lent me a necklace since I was so obviously lacking in that department. We went out and made the rounds to several of the more posh pubs, including the one Wills is rumored to visit, but no prince sightings yet! **I came real close tonight though! We got to the pub about 3 minutes after Prince William left. And not for walking the mile into town as fast as possible either!**

It was brought to my attention this morning before lecture that I have a 5000 word essay due right before Easter. And apparently 5000 words translates roughly into 17-20 double-spaced pages. HA! How is that an essay? And my topic is going to be something related to Plato's influence on Augustine's ethic of love. In the wise words of my father, "Woof!"

**EDIT** That will certainly take up some of my time in the next few weeks, but afterwards... oooh, I'm spending the first half of my Easter vacation in Greece. Heee heee! I'm ridiculously excited! Mmm, warm beaches. Plus, we'll be their over Easter which will be huge. And when I come back to the UK, my mom will be here the next day! And then Max and Pat! And then Kyle! **Scratch the Greece part... Looks like Rach and I will be spending about 6 days in Venice!**

Speaking of travels, I'm going on a weekend trip to Bath tomorrow. It is circled in the red section of the map below... on the west coast of England (Just for you, Mama!!) Looking forward to seeing the Roman Baths and a Jane Austen museum. And in honor of that, I'll be reading Pride and Prejudice on the train/plane trip down!

A handy reference map to refresh your memory (and my own) on Britain's geography.

And don't be shy to use the address I posted! Letters and packages have definetly been making my days lately!!

Upon Request....

2005-02-23T11:48:00.000Z

This is my mailing address:

Liza Stoltz
3106 Albany Park
St. Mary Street
St. Andrews, Fife KY168BP
UK

Only letters of love and adoration please ( and peanut m&m's ) no bills or junk mail!

Scotland, I LOVE You!

2005-02-17T16:39:00.000Z

I love this place!

Honestly, "Minnesota Nice" has lost all meaning. There is no one here who won't bend over backwards to help you out of a jam.

Long story short.... The Royal Bank of Scotland people are so nice and called all over the country on my behalf so that I could finally open an account and get my food money. Ha ha, and offered us some canned beans.

And is so warm here today. Warmer than Minnesota!!!

This is the cake I made for my housemates on V-Day! It was deeeeelicious

Rainbow Chaser

2005-02-11T13:53:00.000Z

Generally speaking, one shower for 6 girls is not enough. So here I sit, kinda stinky from a run with only 20 minutes before meeting friends for half price happy hour ice cream sundaes. Now you are all happy I am across an ocean from you.

Speaking of oceans... how in the world do tides work? One day the ocean is far away, the next it is practially at my doorstep and two hours later, far away again. Must do some research. Or, perhaps my science-loving boyfriend could explain??

Apparently, I am not an American. Or at least that's what it feels like when my housemates and other new accquaintences start talking about American TV shows. And I just have to say, "Huh??" I just don't have time for TV in my fast paced American lifestyle. But things are different here, and so my Irish, English, and Scottish housemates have caught me up to speed with the OC when we watched 4 episodes last night, and I watched an episode of Desperate Housewives the other night. Unfortunatly, the one show I can hold my own in, Friends, is not that big of a deal here. Yeah. Seems a bit ironic that I'm watching more American TV in Scotland. Not so proud of this. But in my defense, my goal tonight was to make friends with my housemates and since one has torn ligaments in both of her feet, I just walked into her room and since she couldn't walk away from me, I stayed and forced them to hang out with me. Good plan.

There are faeries here. For real. I was minding my own business a few days ago, just running along a cliff-like-hill, when I turned and saw a rainbow right in front of me. Aw. It was beautiful and I stood and watched it for a few minutes, just being happy for all the good things I have in my life. I kept running for like 5 more minutes and when I turned again, the rainbow was still right in front of me, but brighter. So I did the only logical thing I could thing of... climb down the hill towards the sea and find the end of the rainbow. It was clearly right in front of me. So I precarioulsy ventured down the steep bluff, and of course right when I was half way down, I looked up and the rainbow was gone. Oooh, tricked by a Scottish lepruachan and his pot of gold! But its okay, I will always be a rainbow chaser.

Dead Sexy

2005-02-08T19:36:00.000Z

The pieces are all starting to fall into place as to my life for the next few months here in St. Andrews. I made it through orientation which was basically a disappointment. I told Denton beforehand that I hoped ice breakers were an American thing... turns out I was right, but I think I might have to introduce them to this country. Anyway, there were not very many opportunities to meet other students, even other JSA (Junior Semester Abroad) students.

My living situation was unfriendly and awkward for the first few days. Very awkward. But as the other girls have returned from their holiday, things have been straightened out and it is beginning to feel like a home. Everyone is very nice, but it's just a bit odd because they are all first years and still very much trying to figure out college and balancing studytime and partytime. I have been there already, and don't exactly feel like going through it again... but time will only tell how everything will shake out. I successfully made tacos for Rachel and Mary last night, plus pineapple on the side, so it was just like my Mom makes it. Yum yum!

Classes started Monday and so far, the difference in classes has been the biggest between Scotland (and all of Britain) and the US. I wanted to take three courses, but was advised to only take 2. Two classes? Yes, totaling 60 credits. Somehow that equals a full credit load at Hamline. I hope. I only have class 3 days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Each class has a lecture and one has a seminar. But other than that, all the work is up to me. And the reading lists I have are miles and miles long. But already I can tell my professors are amazing people. In 'Culture and Society in Scottish Literature' the prof knew that we Minnesotans like to joke about our two seasons: Winter and Road Construction. He is hilarious and knows a lot about EVERYTHING... my favorite kind of prof. We are going on field trips to two art museums and having a traditional Scottish tea on one outing. Sounds good to me! I met my Christian Ethics prof at a wine reception during orientation and we talked about the honors courses while I sipped white wine. It is different here. Anyway she started talking about this Christian Ethics course and got so excited about it, I was talked into taking it. Its going to be haaaaaard... BUT we are focusing on John Wesley's theology of social justice one week, and I of course signed up to do a presentation on it alongside the lecture! Yay John Wesley!

The weather has been beautiful here for the past week. It was drizziling this morning but that's been the first time I have seen a drop of rain for a week. Cool. It can certainly stay like that. I went on a day trip up to the Highlands on Sunday and it was gorgeous. Scotland is a dead sexy country... or at least that's what the tour guide kept reminding us. And I have to agree.

2005-02-08T19:32:00.000Z

A picture of this dead sexy landscape

2005-02-08T19:30:00.000Z

On the day trip to the lower Highlands. It's so GREEN!

Liza IN Scotland

2005-02-03T06:40:00.000Z

Ta-Da! An actual post from the land of the Scots! It has been a wild 2 weeks traveling from Germany to France to Belgium and back to Germany and it is exciting to be settled (for the most part) at St. Andrews.

There were several minor glitches in the travels from Germany to St. Andrews including: paying extra for heavy luggage despite several attempts to avoid that, a search through my bags for drugs possibly hidden in my disk drive, a delayed flight to Dublin, only half my luggage arriving in Glasgow, and a death march to a mysterious hostel on the outskirts of Glasgow. However, those are expected bumps along the road for adventurers like myself. And there were so many small miracles along the way that proved that Rachel and I were being watched over. Glasgow is full of angelic people who bent over backwards to help us, make us feel welcome, assure us that everything would be returned to us, point us in the right direction, give us a hand, and flag down a tour bus to get us to the bus station.

I'm in the midst of 'orientation' at St. Andrews. Classes start on Monday and until then, I'm not exactly sure of what the adgenda will be like. It feels good to have my suitcases unpacked and to start to make a home for myself here. I live in a house... with 5 other girls, although I have only met one so far. We each have our own bedroom and there are 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and a lounge that we all share. I'll be cooking for myself for the most part. Wish me luck... er... it will be an adventure to say the least. I'm famous for burning most things I put in mircowaves.

Tuesday night I went with Rachel and a girl from her house out to a pub where there was a PubQuiz. I love trivia... but Scottish trivia... I had no idea. But it was a cross between Bingo and a quiz game and our team won 2 of the 4 rounds, which meant a round of drinks! Pretty good for my first night here I think.

So far my favorite thing is... the sea. I can hardly believe it is so close to where I live. It is literally my backyard. Before coming I would look at maps and say, "hey, St. Andrews is right on the coast..." but I didn't dare to dream that right on the coast meant... right on the coast. It is beautiful. I went running along it this morning, right to the beginning of the famous St. Andrews Golf Course. It's just so incredible.

The town is delightful... lots of cute shops and cafes. Already yesterday I found my knitting store and have a schedule of when "Knit Ins" are. Heck yes. Socks are going to be my project for the trip... wanna bet on how many pairs I'll make??

Well, I'm expecting a very important phone call soon... so I'll end this for now. Thanks so much for everyones comments and e-mails... they have meant a ton! And I have my mailing address now so if you want it let me know. I like mail!

2005-02-03T06:16:00.000Z

The view as I walk to class... no joke

2005-02-03T06:00:00.000Z

Very happy to have my suitcase back!!!

Back in the Homeland...

2005-01-28T22:04:00.000Z

...well, at least the homeland of my ancestors. Anyway, I'm back in Germany after a whirlwind week in France and Belgium. A super huge thank you to Karli and Seb for their hospitality in Trier and to Kyle for getting us a place to stay in Paris and being a super guide.

You know what's been really awesome about my travels so far? Everywhere I have gone, I have known someone else who has also traveled there. And I have found myself thinking about them a lot while I've wandered around. It makes the world seem a lot smaller to know that all the Hamline colloquium kids ran around Trier and that Allison studied here, and that Jacob was in Paris and Amber and Pat have been in Brugge.

2005-01-28T22:00:00.000Z

Architecture of the Homeland

Belgish

2005-01-27T11:10:00.000Z

Belgium is my favorite. We've been having an amazing time in Brugge... It is so beautiful and peaceful and fun. We have a book that told us the 4 things that were a must to experience in Brugge were: bikes, beer, chocolate, and lace. done, done, done, and almost done!

we rented bikes for the day yesterday and rode along the river to a town called Damme and I had the BEST coffee tray ever. OMG. there was: a cup of coffee, a little thing of whipped cream with a chocolate chip on top, a little thing of cream, a little jar of sugar cubes, a heart shaped dish with a buiscuit and a chocolate, and a little spoon on a little wooden tray. I felt like Frances in Bread and Jam for Frances... you know? With her complicated lunch.

There is chocolate all over. We went to the chocolate museum yesterday... hmmmm. Its so delish!

We just went to a Flemish museum which was cool. And we have a lot to do today: belgian waffles, watching the ladies make lace, and we're going to tour a brewery later on.

Oh, and it is so cold here... we've been wearing our pajamas under our jeans. It is brilliant! And I got this awesome hat... I'm am so European.

Back to Trier tomorrow and then the next adventure begins on Monday! Keep me in your prayers!

2005-01-27T10:51:00.000Z

Kyle and Rachel on our bike ride from Brugge to Damme

2005-01-27T10:46:00.000Z

Worlds best coffee tray.... and it is not even an exaggeration

2005-01-27T10:43:00.000Z

Kyle and Liza, enjoying the canals and the swans... on our way to more chocolate shops!

2005-01-27T10:39:00.000Z

"All beer is Belgian"

American in Paris

2005-01-22T17:50:00.000Z

Hi.

Paris has been unbelievable... really. There is no way to describe it unless you come here and see it yourself.

The bus to Trier, the train to Luxembourg and the second train into Paris all went well... for the most part. We were sitting in someone elses seats for part of the time and all of a sudden a lot of French was being spoken at us... but we got it figured out. Kyle was there to meet us at the train station, yippeee!! And we took the Metro right to our apartment. Oh, that's right. We have an apartment in Paris. It might just be the coolest thing EVER.

We spent the afternoon walking around, just looking. There is so much so see... my camera was in my hand but I could barely take pictures... there was just so much. We walked down the Seine to see the Louve and Notre Dame, and went inside. I can't wait until I can put pictures up... there really aren't words to describe it.

We're cooking for ourselves and last night we sat around drinking wine and eating chocolate. HELLO! I'm in Paris!

Today was busy, we spent hours at the Eiffel Tower and then went to the Mueseum d Orsay and saw the Impressionist paintings. Oh. And now we are in an internet cafe about to meet up with some Hamline Friends for dinner!

All is well... more later!

2005-01-22T17:33:00.000Z

"Oo la la"

2005-01-22T17:31:00.000Z

My absolute favorite spot in Paris... Sainte-Chapelle, the personal chapel of King Louis IX... over 6,000 sq ft of stained glass...unbelievable

2005-01-22T17:26:00.000Z

In front of the Lourve in Paris

2005-01-22T17:04:00.000Z

The Flying Buttresses of Notre Dame

Oy

2005-01-20T21:31:00.000Z

Paris tomorrow, but migraine right now.... so I'm going to bed.

Aw, man.

2005-01-18T17:13:00.000Z

Central Marketplace in Trier

2005-01-18T17:03:00.001Z

Karli and Me at a cafe in Trier. Complete with heaters and sheepskin chair covers!

2005-01-18T17:03:00.000Z

Courtyard of the Dom in Trier where the relic of Jesus' tunic is supposedly housed

Germany Day 2

2005-01-18T16:36:00.000Z

Now that my head is less dazed, I can give a little more info about where I am. Rachel and I are staying with our Hamline friend Karli who is studying in Trier for the year.

Yesterday, on the way from Frankfurt to Trier, which is about a 3 hour drive, we stopped at Karli's boyfriend, Seb's home in a little German village. It was really awesome to see a real German home as the very first thing to experience in Germany. It reminded me a lot of home, especially the knick-nacks that we have and that my grandparents have too. Stuff that I didn' really even know was German, but apparently is.

We continued on to Trier, and just as we got there I got a migraine. Not so surprising since I was going on only a few hours sleep and lotsa coffee. So I slept it off and we just hung out in Karli and Seb's rooms.

It is really foggy here and rainy, so I guess it'll get me used to Scotland. We walked around the campus today, ate in their cafeteria, and then drove around the city of Trier a little. Did you know it is the oldest city in Germany? Karli and Seb pointed out some Roman ruins to us, baths and a amphitheater.

I understand more German than I thought I would from High School. I've been thinking about that a lot and Frau Hogan!! Rach and I went to one of Karli's classes today, which was like German Culture for international students and I was surprised how much more I was remembering.

There are several Hamlinites here in Trier and the plan for tonight is to meet up with them at a Jazz club. That'll be really awesome, I'm sure!

2005-01-17T19:52:00.000Z

"Too Many Cheeseburgers"

2005-01-17T19:50:00.000Z

"Airplane food is yucky"

Germany Day One

2005-01-17T18:07:00.000Z

So tired and confused... but got here with no problems.

Flights were good.

Germany is pretty.

Migraine was bad.

But ready for some adventures tomorrow.

Itinerary

2005-01-16T09:49:00.000Z

Well today's the day! Or that's what the calendar tells me anyway. It hasn't really sunk in yet, despite tearful good-byes. But I'm packed and ready to go! Here I come, Europe. No looking back.

Sunday, January 16th:
Take off from Minneapolis

Monday, January 17th:
Arrive in Frankfurt, Germany

January 17th-January21st:
Trier, Germany

January 21st-January 24th:
Paris, France

January 24th-January 27th:
Brussels, Belgium

January 27th-January 31st:
Trier, Germany

January 31st:
Travel to Glasgow

February 1st:
Travel to St. Andrews

Commonly Asked Questions

2005-01-08T04:01:00.000Z

Just so everyone is on the same page, here is some background information about my trip...

Where am I going?
I'm studying at St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland.

For how long?
I will be gone for about 5 months. I'll be a full time student at St. Andrews for one semester and travelling with friends in Trier, Paris, & Brussels for two weeks before orientation and classes start in Scotland.

Why am I studying abroad?
Hmm. The most honest answer I can give is just... because I can. This will most likely be the only time in my life where I'll have the opportunity to live on my own in a different part of the world. I've lived in the Twin Cities for 21 years and I know there is more for me to experience in the great big world. Looking back, part of me wishes I would have gone to college farther away ... but it was predestined in the stars that I'd go to Hamline. This is a chance for me to spread my wings.

Why Scotland?
The biggest factor is deciding where to go was language. In the toss-up between the English speaking schools in the UK and Australia, the UK won because of the potential for travel to other countries. I didn't want to go to a school in a large city like London, and so Scotland rose to the top of the list. St. Andrews has an awesome divinity school, the semesters matched Hamline's, and the pictures in the InterStudy books were just so pretty! And no, I'm not Scottish... not a drop.

What am I going to be doing there?
Learning about whiskey.
And knitting. Lots of knitting.
Oh, and going to classes I suppose.

More info
www.LizaStoltz.efoliomn.com
This is site I made for Crossing Borders that has info about St. Andrews and Scotland.

St. Andrews, Scotland

WooHoo

2005-01-05T18:36:00.000Z

I'm going to Scotland!