Week Seven in a Land Far Far Away

Riley, Kyra, Lauren and I all on a twin sized bed. Slumber party!

It's crazy how in just 6 short weeks time I went from not knowing a single soul I was living with in a big old haunted palace, to having people that fill my heart in a way it hasn't before. This experience has given me my best friends, my second family, and my soul mates. I expected for this experience to change my life, but I never knew how much it truly would. I didn't know that it would take traveling to Scotland to find three girls who were meant to be my best friends, that have only been living three hours away from me all this time. They say your soul mate is suppose to be the person you marry, and maybe that's true I can't say, but I also think you can have more than one. To me a soul mate can be anyone who touches your life in a way you thought was unimaginable. Every day I have gotten to spend with these three has been a blessing and I can't imagine life without them now. Our friendship is a constant state of adventures, laughter, and just being ourselves. I know I could go to these three for anything and they would do anything for me in return. This week we played Sardines in the house with 23 people and it was so much fun. Running through a dark haunted house at night searching for people, what doesn't sound fun about that? After Kyra, Lauren and I went an jumped on Riley's bed to see how she was coming along with a paper. We had a big slumber party on Riley's twin size bed and it was the best time just laughing our butts off about the dumbest stories, we were very hyper. I truly believe that everyone you meet crosses your path for a reason, some are meant to stay and some are meant to go. I think I have been given these three as forever friends and as people who help me grow into the person I'm supposed to be. They except me for who I am and I for them Our group is a little like this, I am the awkward clumsy one who provides comic relief with my awkwardness, Lauren is the sweetest girl on the face of the earth who always gets the giggles when she drinks, Kyra is the rational smart ass with a knockout attitude, and Riley is what as I would refer to as the class clown. Together we make a dynamo group and it's always a good time. You can bet there will always be nonstop laughter when we're together. This week was another busy one at the house. On Tuesday night I went to eat dinner and have tea at my host family's house. It was a fun night and they enjoyed their gift I gave them, some of my grandfathers arrowheads in a shadow box, something that's truly from the United States. My host mother Rachel has owls all over their house so I was thinking it would be a good gift to give them when I leave as a thank you for all they have done and taught me in my time here.

My host parents Michael and Rachel Wilson.

I really think I'm growing on Henry. He's such a crazy and funny man. I begged him to make me grilled cheese and tomato soup because I was really missing it and he did! Then the other day I begged him to make chocolate cake again and he said, "oh no no I won't make it for you". I even played the early birthday card and he's said, "no no I can't show favoritism". So I walk into dinner the next night and what do I see on the desert table? Chocolate cake! Henry just smirked at me while I gave him crap that he must love me. On Thursday night we had a quiz night in the house with our host families and it was a fun night. I have the sweetest host parents and I love talking with them. I feel like I can and do learn so much from them about the country they have so much pride in, their home. On Friday we had the Highland games. I did the Haggis Malt Challenge, Tire Roll, and Maise Leise. The haggis one was similar to some sort of bowling and the Maise Leise was sort of like tug of war with a pole. I did the tire roll with Kaiti and Tyler. I ran into a bush. No surprises there though I'm always the klutz. My clan Wallace won after a lot of teamwork. We painted our faces (I felt a bit like William Wallace screaming freedom with a painted face) and had Scottish music playing, it was quite the tradition. I enjoy learning about Scottish traditions and the country's history. Everyone in the house is fun and it's going to be odd not living in a house with all of them surrounding me next semester. There are so many differing personalities and it makes the house what it is.

Tire roll

Assistant Director Trevor, Lauren, and I 

My ladies. We've got our game faces on!

Ready to rumble! Riley and I

Maise Leise

 On Friday night we went to Whistle Binkies to see a Stones tribute band. It was a fun time and we danced to the music. Riley is the biggest Stones fan so she was in heaven and basically on the stage dancing and singing. We had to reign her back a few times. Today we went to Potobello beach. Just when I think I am getting used to Scotland, it surprises me with more beauty that I haven't seen before. Seeing a land so full of beauty really makes you think there is a god because an artist had to have crafted something this breathtaking. It also makes me have a greater appreciation for my home in the United States as well and how blessed I was to grow up there. I don't know how I'll go about leaving a place I consider my second home and a group of girls who have become my family away from home. 3 and 1/2 months seems like such a long time, but it is flying by so fast I can hardly keep up. I get exhausted because I just want to fully immerse my self in every single thing there is and I throw myself into ever experience I can get while I am here.

Going out to the pubs with the girls.

     

"I think we all deserve people who really, really love us."
Portobello Beach

The beautiful Portobello Beach. Only a 15 minute drive from my house.

I know that after my sister gets here and spring break has arrived time will go even faster. Once we get back from spring break I will only have one month and nine days left. Breaks my heart, but makes me excited to see my mom and dad. This week Lauren and I booked our trip to Ireland for a weekend. We are doing a Paddy Wagon tour that will take us to all the main spots in Ireland. I am very excited for that adventure as well. Tonight is Saint Patrick's Day so we are going to go out and see what it' s like here in the pubs! Crazy I'm sure, but it will be fun. Still living it up in Scotland, the experience gets better day after day. I don't know if anything will ever compare to this experience, to the feeling I get from travel in general. It's such an indescribable feeling and you don't understand it until you feel it for yourself. Missing everyone at home. Lots of Love.

P.S. I have finally tried haggis. It's very tender and it tastes something like sausage, but more mushy with a lamb after taste. It is not for me, to many flavors and textures going on at once. 

Cheers,

Morgan

Creepy Attic, Homework Stress, and Leith

Tank and Hitler Drawing

Another week has come and gone here and Scotland, but you know what they say time flies when you're having fun. Let's start this one off with earlier this week when I took a trip up to the palace's haunted attic. During World War II the palace's third floor was used to house Polish soldiers. There are a lot of drawings on the wall from the soldiers during the war and names and numbers written on doors. The attic goes on forever I never knew all of that was up there. They said a long time ago before the war when royals lived here their children lived on the third floor. They didn't keep the attic updated so you have to walk on the floor boards and a lot of stuff up there is falling apart, but you can tell at one time is used to be nice. It was very creepy because there is only lighting in some spots and it's very eerie. I also think it's really amazing how much history is packed into this house I call my home. I really think that there are ghosts here just from odd things that have happened, but it doesn't bother me. I don't think they are here to harm us, this is just their home, it was theirs before it was ours. One of the ghosts that has been a

Name chalked on door.

legend here for years is Mary. She was a 13 year-old girl who passed away in the house due to an illness. My friends room has a light that will shut off when it is on and they'll yell, "Mary turn the light back on!" and it will come on. Also when I was in the attic taking photos I had  two orbs floating at my camera and it freaked me and my friends out just a little! People who live on the third floor also say they always hear noises like someone is running around up in the attic. Makes living here fun though! This week has been more of a stressful one I'd say. I have a Scottish Globalization paper due tomorrow and I slaved over it all week. It was a difficult topic to narrow into 800 words. I gave it my best effort so now all I can do is wait. I also have

We think it meant the number to each room.

so much homework due before spring break it's not even funny. I think I made myself sick with how much stress I was under this weekend. I think the stress also started making me get home sick for my family. My friends and I pushed ahead through the paper together and helped each other out. On Friday night Kyra, Riley, and I went out to Back Smiths Forge and ate some dinner it tasted so good, they have great food there. After we went to Mayson's and it was fun, but then again it always is. I love meeting locals, they're always fun to socialize with. It was a guy named Rickie's birthday and he was out celebrating, he was quite entertaining. I kept calling him Rickie Bobby but I dont think he was getting the movie reference. He was there with a girl Claire who also works at Mayson's and she was obsessed with wanting to buy me drinks, I

Cross Drawing

guess I made a good first impression or something. There's also always a lot of Irish men at the bar because they come here to work on construction. If you think understanding Scot's is hard, understanding the Irish is 10 times harder. On Saturday we went to Tesco to get some groceries and for dinner Kyra, Riley, and I made Spaghetti, bread, and green beans. It was very cost efficient. We have to fend for ourselves on the weekends here and eating out is so expensive. Henry feeds us through the week, but I don't like a lot of the food. I told Mom I miss American food, so she's sending me a care package. Can't wait to get that, I love mail! Today Lauren and I went to Leith. It's a town more by the water. We did a little shopping and went to a cafe and just talked for an hour and drank coffee. It was nice to get away from the stress of homework for awhile. We also ate tonight and I had a veggie kebab from Franco's. Their kebab's are like what we called gyro's. We had a dinner date down in the dinning room. Riley, Kyra, and I have also got into this thing where we have popcorn dates and talk for like an hour. I love our talk, we have the best time and I laugh so much when I am with those two. They've become like my second family. We don't even have to be doing anything to have a good time. I had a good day, but it was a bit cold and rainy. Things are warming up here in Scotland though it's in the 50's mainly now. We had quite a scare today when a helicopter was circling our house and cop cars came rushing into our drive. A boy who is thought to be suicidal went missing from his home today so they were searching the grounds because this is the most secluded area in town. His shoes were found, but they did not find him. It was a little scary and I hope they find him before anything bad happens.

Holly and I at Mayson's.

Kyra, Riley, and I 

Brady, Kyra, and I 

Lauren and I at Leith

Leith

                                 

Me at Leith

Triple Threat.

Finally I'd like to introduce you to my second family, we are a triple threat. These girls are everything to me and I am so blessed to have met them. They have helped make this experience truly the best one in my life. Doing this program has given me lifelong friends. Don't know what I'll so without them when it's time to say goodbye.

"Friends make you laugh a little louder, smile a little brighter, and live a little better than before." 

         

I also got word last night that a family friend from home lost his battle with cancer. He was also one of my good friends uncle. He was too young and I will never understand why bad things happen to good people. Maybe all of this is just part of a bigger plan that we don't understand yet. I am sad I won't be home to attend his services. I'll miss him and all the shit he used to give me ever since I was a little kid. May his soul forever rest in peace. Cheers from Scotland Mike, you were one of the best.

Cheers, 

Morgan

Rugby, Stirling Castle, and the Dance Festival

Laughter. A verb. An eight letter word. It's so simple, but yet it's something so huge that makes you feel so good inside. There's nothing else like it. As humans I feel like we often take for granted how much of a blessing it is to just be able to laugh, to feel happy, and to be surrounded by the people we love, who make our hearts a little lighter.

We're a unique trio.

I was thinking today how much I laugh a day here, it's a ridiculous amount and it makes me feel so good, so content. When I am with my friends we can simply be sitting at the dinner table and be about rolling on the floor laughing about the simplest things. It's made me realize how laughter is one of the most important things you can have in life. Not only to laugh in general, but to be able to laugh at yourself. That's something my mother taught me and it's honestly one of the best lessons I think I've ever learned, even if I didn't know it at the time. This weekend was one that didn't lack in laughter that's for sure. Friday night a group of us went to the rugby game Edinburgh vs. Ospreys. I had never been to a rugby game before and now I don't know why I haven't been going to more at Platteville. Rugby is an amazing sport and it takes a lot of strength. I think you have to be just a little bit crazy too, to

Kyra and myself at Rugby. Roomie love.

willingly throw your body into someone else's or dive into a tackle with no pads on to protect yourself. It's a much tougher sport than American Football. I loved the atmoshphere of being at a rugby game and cheering on the team. Before the game a lot of people gather in the clubhouse and eat and drink. We stood in the standing section and all the people around us were so fun. These women in front of us were yelling so loud and before I knew it we were doing the same even if I didn't know what was going on most of the time, I understood the main concept. Riley and Kyra are great girls and I love them to death. There is never a dull moment with them and we were being a little crazy at the rugby game. On Saturday we got up early and boarded the train to go to see Stirling Castle. It was really worth the 10 pound train ride. It was absolutely beautiful, historic, and of course had an amazing view of the country side. It was fascinating and such an honor to be where William Wallace stood and fought for his country's independence and won the battle against the English. The castles architecture was phenomenal and part of it was yellow. People say that on a foggy day from down below it looks like a floating gold castle. Even though the hike to the castle was quite strenuous, my calves will probably hurt for a week, the view at the top was worth the struggle.

View at Stirling

When we got back to Edinburgh we went to get some lunch and I tried a veggie burger. I thought it was so delicious, I am a new developed fan. This morning we had to go to a dance festival help at the Uni in Edinburgh. We went to watch some seminars and evaluate which we have to write a paper about. We watched something called Dance Libre which is Spanish dancing, Irish Set dance, and a huge Ceilidh. All of them were very interesting and it was so neat to see all these people getting together through all walks of life to dance, a language that is universal to all. When we were watching the Irish Set Dance they needed an extra girl so Riley volunteered herself. Kyra and I had a ball laughing hysterically while we watched her dance for an hour. Her facial

Stirling Castle

expressions were priceless and a kilted man was flinging her around the dance floor, she looked quite scared. Meanwhile when we weren't laughing Kyra and I were taking bets on the probability of weather or not the man in the kilt was wearing underwear or not (most times it's tradition not too). Seems like it'd be a bit breezy to me. Seeing so many people at the Ceilidh, dancing to some beautiful traditional Scottish folk music, was truly admirable. Riley, Kyra, and I decided to leave to head back home and just as we were coming out of the building we saw our bus up the road coming soon. We took off running down the sidewalk to get to the next bus stop to catch it. We were dodging people and laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. We caught it though! Moment of triumph! The thing with buses here is on Sundays they only stop every hour so if we had missed that

Just trying on some proper castle clothing.

one we would have had to wait another hour and we weren't having that. I have truly met some of the most amazing people here in Scotland. Not only the locals, but people in the house that have become some of my closest friends, that I can return to the states with. This program makes you find some of your best friends and some truly great people who have been living so close to your whole life, but just now had the opportunity to meet. You may think what's so great about running for a bus how is that such an amazing moment? It's moments like these that I was truly happy and it's simple moments like these I don't want to forget. Moments like these that made me feel so alive, so free, and so full of laughter.

Field at the Rugby Game.

Beautiful view at Stirling.

Kyra took this. Riley and I's reaction to a bee. I love it.

This trip has made me become a simple person. It has made me realize making mistakes is okay and to just enjoy the adventure of getting lost. It has outlined aspects in life that I never knew I was so lucky to have, like laughter. I hope you all have some laughter in your day and remember, cherish it.

Cheers,

Morgan