D is for...

A few weekends ago my friend Gaby and her flatmate Joelle had a D themed party. We were required to dress up as anything at all...as long as it started with a D. We had a ton of fun walking all over Glasgow finding pieces for our outfits. My friend Amy and I ended up being dorks. It was a fantastic night with great friends, drinks, and strange dancing. 

I forgot how much I loved themed parties until this one. Can't wait for plenty more while I am here. Off to international night now. xo

loch lomond

This past Sunday one my flatmates, Amy and I went on an organized tour to explore a few of Scotlands famous sights. We woke up at the way too early time of 8:30 in order to catch the bus at 9:15. What we thought was going to be a large tour turned out to be us and 3 other people from Austria. Although we ended up being thankful for the small group as it allowed us to have some say in what we got to see. We started our journey by crossing the Firth of Clyde and making our way to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The drive was definitely something interesting. All I can say is for someone who easily gets car sick Scotland roads are not my friend (don't worry nothing actually happened - it was just terrifying and windy). Once reaching Loch Lomond it was obviously raining - typical Scotland weather getting in the way of the beautiful sights and making us quite cold due to our not-so-excellent choices of clothing. Despite the cold, Loch Lomond was gorgeous and everything I imagined Scotland to be like.

Loch Lomond

The romantic beauty of the landscape was first 'discovered' in the late 18th century. Novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott brought it to the popular eye with his thrilling poem The Lady of the Lake set in locations across the Trossachs. Scotland's first national park, designated in 2002, stretches from the Argyll Forest Park in the west across to Callander, and from Killin in the north to Balloch (where we stopped) in the south, which is only 18 miles from Glasgow.

Loch Lomond

This is a popular hiking area (which we only did a bit of), with plenty of trails and islands. I am hoping to make my way back up to Loch Lomond on a nicer day so I can hike around more of the surrounding areas. The Trossachs area to the east of Loch Lomond includes the hills of Queen elizabeth Forest Park and the peak of Ben Venue - which we were able to see as driving out of Loch Lomond. 

Cold and wet and loving Scotland

Amy and I at the start of our journey

Stay tuned for more on the rest of my trip to another loch and a couple castles! xo

people's palace

Set on Glasgow Green, this red stone building of 1898 is a museum that captures the wit, eccentricity and gritty character of the city. It tells the history of Glasgow through familiar objects and quotes from real people. A house model of a prefabricated house highlights the story of tenement housing, and a mock up of a 'steamie', or communal wash-house brings the city's social history to life. 

People's Palace

The People's Palace is a must see if you want to learn about the social and working class history that defines Glasgow as a city. It may just be the history nerd in me but it was really interesting learning about the people, incidents, and issues that characterize this city. The museum is also very colourful and exciting to walk around in because of the mock setups.

Me as a little girl on a donkey. Typical.

Outside the Palace is the Doulton Fountain, the largest terracotta fountain in the world. It was given to the City of Glasgow by Sir Henry Doulton and first erected in Kelvingrove Park in 1888. In 1890 it was moved to Glasgow Green, present there 8 years before the Palace opened. 

Doulton Fountain

Outside the Fountain

I am hoping to go back on a sunny day to capture the prettiness of the building and fountain. Those days are limited here though so we will see if it happens!

i kinda like them

Claire, Kayla, Amy, Me

Me, Claire, Amy, Liam

Amy, Me, Gaby, Claire

The flatmates (minus one)

Watching rugby

My friends here are great. I can't get over how awesome they are.

getting personal

Strathclyde

So I realized that over the course of writing this blog I have told you tons of information about all of the fantastic places I have gotten to see but haven't said much about my personal experience so far. So here goes.

First off I guess I should mention the reason I am actually able to be here in Glasgow - school. I know, its hard for me to remember thats why I am here as well! I am taking three classes this semester, which is a full course load here at Strathclyde. They are: The Politics of European Integration, Local Politics, and War, Terrorism and Conflict. I have two lectures a week, and a tutorial for each class bi-weekly. It basically gives me lots of time to enjoy this wonderful city. One thing I will note that is very different from Queen's is how they deliberate reading material. For two of my classes the professor gave us a list of approximately 40 books per week that are suggested material. From this we pick what we want, and as many as we want, in order to learn the most we can about the subject. For my last class she didn't even give us a list - we are just supposed to find books that apply to the material we are studying. Slightly scarier and more independent then the structured reading guide given out at Queen's.

Secondly - my flatmates and the humble abode we live in. Six of us share a hallway with our bedrooms, a kitchen/living room, and two bathrooms. Our flat consists of girls from Malaysia, France, three from the United States (Rhode Island, Virginia and Iowa), and of course me - the Canadian. Thankfully we all get along great! I could not have wished for a better set of flatmates. We were instantly able to laugh about everything, share stories from our lives at home, and ultimately learn a lot about each other in a short amount of time. I am so excited to see what the next few months bring with all of these lovely ladies. 

Finally I want to mention my absolute contentment for this experience so far. I am so fortunate that Queen's was able to provide me with this opportunity. It is turning out to be everything I had hoped it would be. The feeling I get when walking down the street, the incredible fashion I see all over the city, the smell of beer in a pub while watching a rugby game, and talking to all of the fascinating people I have met - it is all perfect.

glasgow cathedral

The location of my school within the city of Glasgow is amazing. Although not being as close to the lovely west end (where the hotel I stayed at when arriving was located), Strathclyde is located in the heart of the city. Within walking distance to some of the most popular attractions in Glasgow it is hard not to love walking down the street. For example, the Glasgow Cathedral is practically in the backyard of my residence. Sounds awesome, I know.

Glasgow Cathedral

The blackness of its stonework, its modern stained glass, and its setting below the Victorian Necropolis, sets this structure apart from others. Although these features have people assume it is work of the 19th century, the Glasgow Cathedral dates to the 13th to the 15th centuries. The central tower and spire are replacements dating from about 1406.

Black stonework

The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mungo, or Kentigern, who died in AD603. HIs shrine, once a major pilgrimage site, is in the crypt, and the symbols of the robin, fish, bell, and tree on the lampposts outside are references to miracles performed by the saint. Due to the dark lighting I was unable to capture any quality photographs in the lower level of the cathedral where the shrine to St. Mungo is located. I will say that with a slightly creepy feeling the lower level was very unique. 

Inside the Cathedral

The powerful columns located throughout the seemingly large cathedral captured your attention. Although difficult to appreciate through pictures the stained glass located at the front was gorgeous. Since being here I have been able to pass by the cathedral many times to admire its stonework. One of the many reasons I am loving Glasgow!

Strolling past the cathedral

the blue box

I decided to share the insanely awkward photos I took of my room. You can now see the tiny little blue box that I now call home. Honestly it is everything I could need for my time here. 
Strings from the ceiling turn the lights on, I don't even dare touch the floor with my bare feet, heat comes out of really old radiators, the window only opens an inch, and my bed is basically a pile of springs. But it is home and I love it :)

The mini desk

Me being super casual 

Wardrobe/super heavy fire door