A Thanksgiving to Remember

Every year, the English Speaking Union holds a formal Thanksgiving dinner at their headquarters in London for current scholars, alumni, and friends of the organization. You won't be surprised that I had been counting the days to this event-- after all, who doesn't love a trip to one of the largest and most culturally vibrant cities in the world? Despite regretting not spending the holiday with family as usual, I considered this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could just not miss out on. So, I played hooky this past Friday and instead hopped on a train to stay in Great Britain's capital for the weekend.

Andrew, Bella, and Caitlin in the fancy chairs.

The (almost complete) group of all ESU scholars, looking spiffy.

The dinner itself was magnificent. After spending 5+ hours on a train (and more on a bus), I was grateful to have some good food and a chance to dress up a little. I met some new scholars and alumni, but also reunited with some old Culver friends-- Alice Dendy, Nate Vandevelde, Evan Fischer, and Alex Kerr-- which was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. The ESU Debate Team made an appearance after dinner, igniting a lively discussion on the American Dream (which was, well, quite relevant in light of recent events).

 But the night wasn't over. Many pictures later, and of course after a bad rendition of the Culver Song from its alumni, a group of us decided to go to a bar in The Shard, a famous skyscraper in the heart of the city. It also must be said here that I was personally asked to show my ID not once, not twice, but three times, which was quite offensive. But it certainly was fun, just kids in the midst of millionaires, sharing £20 pound cocktails and enjoying the spectacular view of the city.

Apparently this is only the back of Buckingham Palace. That said, it's still Buckingham Palace.

Yes, that is a nose in the wall. There are 35 of them all over London, protesting the "nosiness" of the government. Heh.

The next day, Tricia, Evan and I got up early to catch a free walking tour of the city. Having never been in London, I enjoyed the opportunity to see as much as I could of the city and learn about its past. The tour did live up to our expectations, and then some: we were able to see Buckingham Palace, the real Nocturne Alley from Harry Potter, St. James' Palace, the Palace of Westminster, the London Eye, and so much more. The tour guide was hilarious, and also akin to a walking encyclopedia of British history. When we became cold and hungry, we diverged from the tour and treated ourselves to some delicious noodles.

Tricia, Evan and me in Trafalgar Square, the "center" of London.

The funny Canadian tour guide. 

It was excellent timing for the new movie "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" to be in theaters at the time when we were in London: what better place to see a Harry Potter movie (ironically, this one takes place in the US, but who cares)? So we made our way up to Piccadilly Circus to buy our tickets, but not before shopping shopping around a bit first. After a visit to the famous M&M's World and an outside Christmas market, we enjoyed an IMAX 3D showing of the film (which was indeed fantastic).

Four stories of chocolatey, crunchy goodness.

One fantastic Indian dinner later, we were content to wander slowly back to our hostel. However, inspired by the magic of the wonderful world of Harry Potter, a trip to the real Platform 9 and 3/4 was definitely in order. After Evan graciously took pictures of Tricia and me at the famous location, we spent a liberal amount of time inside the neighboring merchandise shop. It was quite a peaceful night, but that was what we wanted.

The next day, I was on a train back to Scotland, filled with gratefulness and happiness despite having caught a rather nasty cold. I hope that this will not be the last time in London, and now that I know more scholars based in England, I might very well plan another visit later in the year. It was so great to see some familiar faces, and I really felt a connection with the other scholars that came. But I'm also not forgetting my home in Indiana, and all those who made it possible for me to be here. Let's just say that this Thanksgiving, I couldn't be more grateful.

Rugby and Friends

After a long week of homework, test prep, and other scholarly obligations, what better way to wind down is there than enjoying a good sports game? That's what the boarding houses did here this weekend at Dollar, getting the privilege of witnessing the national Scotland rugby team take down Argentina at BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The stadium itself seats 67,000 people, and really is a sight to see-- especially when watching a rugby game for the first time.

Team Scotland, preparing for their fight.

It was a chilly night, but the low temperature was balanced by the warm excitement around us from all the die-hard rugby fans. Scottish children proudly wore the Scottish flag--blue, with a white cross-- painted on their faces. The Scottish national anthem belted out from all directions. A performance from the "Red Hot Chili Pipers," complete with a rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" on the bagpipes. Overpriced Fish n' Chips and beer sold on every corner, and a majority of men in kilts. If you think America is the center of sports nationalism, you may want to think again.

Bente and Una enjoying the game.

I'm not going to pretend that I know anything about rugby-- in fact, throughout the first half I was accidentally cheering for the wrong team (in my defense, both Scotland and Argentina have blue and white on their flags). One moment, the teams were lifting each other up like cheerleaders to catch the ball; the next, they were all interlocked together in what resembled a giant wrestling match. I could tell, however, that this particular game was more tense than usual. Fights between the players broke out frequently, much to the humor of us boarders. And as the game was tied in the last seconds of the game, the entire crowd was sitting on the very edge of their seats. 

The teams battling it out, cheered on by at least 60,000 fans.

Scotland did pull through in the end, much to our pleasure. The end score was 19-16, with a penalty shot just in the nick of time, and "I'm Gonna Be" by The Proclaimers (which seems to be the Scotland song, more so than the national anthem itself) blaring from the speakers. With our feet numb but our spirits high, we headed back to the bus home for some chocolate cake and a good night's sleep. 

All in all, I'm glad I went to the game. Yes, it was freezing, and I was generally clueless about the game, but it reminded me that I am living in a community  much larger than myself. I'm so glad to be part of a culture with so much pride and determination, not to mention a great sense of humor and fun. 

Work and Play

The countdown is on: less than 5 more weeks of school before Christmas Break. Not that anyone is waiting around, of course: life has been far from boring lately for anyone. I'm enjoying the lively spirit that is tangible here with so many exciting events occurring--inside the school and out. Students are abuzz with school projects and parties, of course, but also with the recent election results (more than a few of us, myself included, stayed up almost the whole night) and their implication on the world. As for me, I'm just glad to be busy again.

Three other Heyworth girls and I challenged ourselves this week by entering a Battle of the Bands competition held by the Yearbook Committee-- Anna on piano, Zuzana on violin, Henni as a lead singer, and me, of course, on my cello. We ended up earning second overall out of eight to a talented band who had written their own songs, which we all considered fair. I always enjoy proving people wrong, so when some people rolled their eyes at seeing "classical" instruments on the stage instead of drums or electric guitars, I took great satisfaction in the look on their faces when we started playing songs by Rihanna and The Weeknd. It really was something I want to remember for a long time to come.

I also experienced Karaoke for the first time this weekend with other boarders in Form 5 and 6 (and yes, in case you're wondering, I did belt it out to Queen). Plus, I have to say it was hilarious being sober while everyone ended up making fools of themselves after more than a few beers. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of any of these events, yet, but I will surely share them when they are available. Until then, I certainly won't be waiting around like I was in my last post. Here are some of the projects that are picking up speed for me these next few weeks.

In an extended Modern Studies assignment, I have chosen to explore the topic of compulsory voting and the impact it would have on the United States. Do not misunderstand me in thinking that I consider compulsory voting systems beneficial by any means-- in fact, I am arguing that it would threaten the United States' political system. I won't go into depth about my political beliefs here, especially so close to the election where raw emotions are still high for everyone. But I am passionate about the fact that the election turnout was a 20-year low: only about 55%. How can we call ourselves a representative democracy if just over half of the voting population participates? It has certainly been interesting to study the impacts a mandatory voting system has on countries around the world-- Belgium, Australia, and Brazil, to name a few. I will say that voting could be much easier for American citizens (even after some attempts to make it so, like the Moter-Voter Act, weren't all that successful). Not everyone who doesn't vote is apathetic or disaffected from the system. So maybe, say, a day off work or automatic registration would make the government a little more legitimate.

The other long-term project on my mind at the time is my geographical survey on the environmental safety and quality of Stirling, Scotland. For those of you that aren't up to date on Scottish geography, Stirling is a city about half an hour away from Dollar, and a favorite place for boarders to escape from the school. I chose the location originally as an excuse to get more of Gregg's to-die-for mochas, sure, but after some additional research I was curious to know if the city's pedestrianized center had an effect on people's experience of the city. After all, human geography is much more interesting to me than physical geography (sorry, all you soil-lovers). I've finished collecting most of the data needed for the report, which included taking pedestrian and traffic counts, decibel measures, and surveying people on their perception of the city. The latter was definitely the most terrifying and the most interesting, and offered perspective on much more than environmental quality. Speaking to local Scottish citizens on a personal level was a valuable, enriching experience, and I overcame my social anxiety every time I approached a stranger. Sure, most people declined to answer, but some encounters were quite unexpected. One intimidating-looking man I was particularly scared to approach ended up being one of the sweetest, kindest people I talked to that day. It's always nice to be pleasantly surprised, isn't it?

After Culver's heavy emphasis on process grades and homework, a shift to assignments being worth 40% of the overall grade is undoubtedly stressful. But it gives me a reality check for how college life will be, not to mention an effective motivation to work as hard as I can. Plus, I get to focus more in depth than ever on a particular issue, a studying method which I personally prefer. Either way, I'm enjoying the subject material in my classes while having fun outside of school, and that's all that matters.  everything else will sort itself out in time.

Another Reflection-- and Halloween

The leaves are turning colors, the hours of light are falling, and stores are already unpacking their Christmas decorations: winter is coming. Time is seeming to fly by, and I often forget to pause and assess the progress I have made in the past months (has it really been months??) here at Dollar. Soon enough, the first trimester will be over and I will be free for break--this time to Italy--which marks the first third of my entire gap year. It's a scary and somewhat bittersweet thought; part of me wants to stay here for a longer amount of time. This is all the more reason to consider what I have accomplished so far, in which areas I have struggled, and what I have in mind for the rest of the year abroad.

Heyworth House pumpkins. Ignore the one on the top left, because it is what it looks like.

No one can deny that I've had my fair share of bravery thus far on my journey. After all, jumping fully into an Advanced Higher Geography class is no easy task-- not to mention joining a boarding house with absolutely no familiar faces, or hopping aboard a plane to France and eating escargot. I would especially say that learning how to travel has been one of the most useful skills I have learned here, even though it was terrifying at first to buy a simple bus ticket to the nearby city of Stirling. I didn't realize how much planning it took: knowing the times of public transport, the cost, etc. I still have to console myself that it will all be okay: the train won't randomly change directions, and the bus has not left if I am 20 minutes early to the station. But it does take courage to go out on a limb, rising above the anxiety I may face. A few girls in the boarding house and I were especially brave recently, and entered into the annual "Battle of the Bands" contest taking place next week-- although we're playing the best band of the school in the first round, we love to make music together, so the crowd ultimately won't matter. All in all, I have done well in taking the chances I receive to jump out of my comfort zone as often as I can.

Some costumes were a little too realistic.

In addition to showing my bravery, I believe I have overall succeeded in proving myself both to my peers and to my adults here. In Harry Potter terms, the Ravenclaw in me has peaked a curiosity in the subjects I am taking, and provided a strong motivation to go above and beyond assigned schoolwork. In fact, I have (very thankfully) had the time to do some of my own reading lately in relation to my future college major: I just finished "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall, and am now making my way through "The J Curve" by Ian Bremmer. My book supplier and Politics/Modern Studies teacher, Mrs. Young, owns a plethora of this genre and is more than happy to loan them to me-- in exchange for only an interesting conversation about it later. On the more social side of things, I have been nominated to speak at the Remembrance Day Ceremony next week, along with a solo part in the next Chamber Choir concert. While I undoubtedly feel humbled by these opportunities, I cannot help but be glad that others are appreciating the hard work and respect I have for them.

I also discovered that apple bobbing is much harder than it looks.

Unfortunately, my experiences lately have not entirely been of sunshine and rainbows. After all, what would a foreign exchange be without some challenges to help me grow as an individual? Anyway, it is getting cold and dark here-- and fast. That certainly takes a toll on anyone's mood, and a constant reminder of the impending doom of winter. But that also means that the holidays are coming, which rebounds our spirits again. And although prelims are approaching soon and classes are supposed to be picking up the pace (academically speaking), I am finding myself with lots of free time on my hands. Each class in which I am enrolled poses little challenge to me at the moment, which can be frustrating, but I make the best of the situation by independent learning and reading, as mentioned above. But after a filled-to-the-brim senior year, a free period a day-- or even two on some days-- feels unnatural and even frustrating at times. I know that once I start my projects in Geography that I will have less time on my hands, but for now, I must settle for the simultaneous blessing and curse of free time.

The Hanging Donuts game. I sat this one out because it was just too fun to watch.

Another problem I have encountered lately is a more surprising one: homesickness. While I do feel at home in the boarding house, I must confess my persistent longing for the town I once thought I hated. There have been times where all I wanted was to share one more homemade dinner with my family around me, to be huddled up next to the fireplace in the Public Library reading The Week, or to see a concert series in Eppley Auditorium right next to the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee. This is the first time I have such a feeling: it's hard to miss home when it's within walking distance. But it's the little things-- the different placement of keys on a computer keyboard, the plugs on the walls, the different food-- that are constant reminders that I am still in a foreign country, thousands of miles away from where I spent my life until now.

Anna and Una being cute roommates.

But that's a minor issue compared to where I am now. I do love my classes, my friends, and the opportunities presented to me here. Home will always be there for me, especially when it is time for me to return. For now, I plan to continue being brave, working hard, and savoring the time I have here. My future goals are simple: keep my involvement in extracurricular activities, balance work with upcoming music obligations, and continue enjoying the company of the amazing people that surround me. And, of course, learn to enjoy free time. Everything else will work itself out.

Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité

It's going to be hard to write just one blog post about all that has occurred in the past few weeks. Our half-term break started on the 14th, and just ended yesterday, so else to do than to go to Paris? I was planning to stay with an acquaintance of mine, and work in a bookstore called Shakespeare and Company, but a last-minute change in plans led me to take refuge in a youth hostel for the trip. Not that I was alone, of course-- Kary came down to visit and we enjoyed each other's company in the famous City of Lights.

So, within that small amount of time, I've seen the Mona Lisa, climbed the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, experienced Mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral, and observed works from Degas, Picasso, Rodin, Van Gogh, Monet, and many famous artists.

 I've stood by the graves of Edith Piaf, Adolf Sax, Gioachino Rossini, Frederic Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Marie Curie, Napoleon, and Victor Hugo.

I've experienced the Sacre-Coeur Cathedral, the Catacombes of Paris, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergie, Les Invalides, La Bastille, the Champs-Elysees, La Place de la Concorde, the Cemetery of Pere-Lachaise, the Memorial of the Shoah and the Mur des Noms, the Moulin Rouge (no, I didn't go in), the Gardens of Luxembourg, Versailles, and the Palais Garnier.

I've walked through the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Musee de L'Homme, the Galerie d'Evolution, the Musee Rodin, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musee Picasso.

I've tried escargot, peach wine, kiri (like American cheese, but more French) and other European cheeses, countless types of jam, famous Berthillon ice cream, duck, and raisin mustard, saving room for lots and lots of traditional baguettes.

A chocolate replica of the Arc de Triomphe in a Museum in Montmartre.

It's also worth mentioning that I had a layover in Ireland on my flight back to the UK, so now I've officially been in five countries in all.

A military parade I happened to pass by next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Champs-Elysees. 

I got around the city mostly on Velib, a bike rental company that has various stations around the city. I must say that my calf muscles are quite developed now after so much biking, and it was a great way to see the best of the city. As you might imagine, my French also improved dramatically after not having a lesson since the end of Senior Year. I'm so glad that Kary was there with me for some of the time, because Paris is a city with joys best shared with friends.

As always, below is a list of observations I made about my journey. It's not extensive, of course, but it's the best I can do because right now I'm procrastinating for writing an essay on the effectiveness of Congressional committees.

-Paris is the best place for window-shopping. Hands down.
-Pictures sometimes just don't do justice to a certain view. While I am glad I have so many visual souvenirs of what I experienced in Paris, the phrase "you had to be there" is pertinent to almost all of them.

Treats from Laduree, a famous shop in Paris. Those are all, like, 10 euros each.

-I can now read maps better than I ever did before. Oh, and I now also know the steps to take when said directions go wrong.
-Flexibility is absolutely necessary for anything while traveling-- activities, food, routes, even lodging. So is an open mind, especially when sleeping in a room with girls from six different countries at once.

-Biking through busy roundabouts at rush hour is one of the most stessful things on the planet.
-You don't have to 'get' art, or understand the meaning of the work, in order to appreciate it. I especially learned this at the Centre Pompidou, a contemporary art museum with a bunch of crazy works.

A work of art in the Centre Pompidou, which I don't get, but do appreciate.

-I did, however, have a few epiphany-like moments where I did 'get' works of art.
-Crepes are better in France, especially eaten on the banks of the Seine. Sorry, that's just how science works.
-Speaking of crepes, I wasn't fully used to the French diet, which is much less protein-heavy than that of the UK or the US. Not that this is a bad thing, of course.

-The stereotype of the French being snobbish or unfriendly is not entirely untrue (at least from my experience). I was beeped at/yelled at on the street at least 20 times during the trip for small blunders, even for going too slow. Plus, people looked at me funny when I ordered coffee in the afternoon, which is apparently a French faux pas.

A trans pride parade marching through the streets on a weekend.

-I've found that going off the beaten path and exploring lesser known districts is a great way to enjoy a city. This is how I came across the Cafe des Chats, and enjoyed an espresso while in the company of many furry friends.
-Then again, the path was usually beaten for a reason. I'm sure Kary would agree with me that climbing the Eiffel Tower was well worth the price.

Kary, being a cutie as always, except this time on the Eiffel Tower.

I must stress the point I made early about the importance having flexibility while traveling, especially by mentioning that it is the perfect remedy for anyone struggling with an eating disorder. Most of you know of my past battle with Anorexia, but going to France helped me immensely. I had no time to worry about what I was eating; plus, those macarons are just too good to stress out about. In all seriousness, I feel better about myself after the trip than ever.

This could partially be because of the immense perspective Paris brings; ancient sites and monuments often led me to reflect on the relative obscurity of life's little problems. After all, how can you focus on a bad hair day when you are walking through a city dating back to the Roman Empire, or walking through a tunnel made up of the bones of 6 million past lives?

The Catacombes of Paris. Creepy, yet peaceful.

Paris itself is a work of art, a canvas for humanity. Kary and I both marveled at the breathtaking architecture, the ubiquitous statues, and even the thought-provoking graffiti  throughout the town.

A work, again at the Pompidou, that's... interesting.

It is definitely a place to which I would like to return someday, or, if I'm not getting ahead of myself here, even live. I wish I could express all that I experienced here, and the treasures that surrounded me, but I will have to leave it at this for now. It is, however, nice to be back in the UK again with all my friends.

On a High Note: Music at Dollar

Before I graduated from Culver, Major Browne-- my orchestra teacher, neighbor, and quite possibly the person I admire most in the world-- advised me never to stop playing music, since it is a solace in good times and bad. After eight years in the Culver orchestra and about 16 years of musical schooling as a whole, his advice seemed reasonable to me-- after all, my attempts to quit music before have obviously been far from successful. It seemed only natural to continue at least some sort of musical activity after so much time and effort, even if it is frustrating at times. So, I took my mentor's instruction and decided to continue my lifetime hobby, just a thousand miles away from where I practice it usually.

To illustrate my activities and accomplishments in the music world at Dollar so far, I have written an open letter to Major Browne himself in the hopes that you readers will realize the immense positive influence he has held in my life.

Dear Major Browne,

Firstly, I want to thank you specifically for all the support and kindness you have shown, from just saying hi on the street to guiding me through my Honors in Music project last year. We've both "graduated" from Culver now, but your influence-- not only with myself, but many others as well-- will live on for years to come. I do miss orchestra, as I am sure you do as well, and I still loyally play those daily warm-ups before every practice. What really made it special, though, was your patience with me through it all, framing music as a solace instead of a chore (as how many band cadets saw it, I'm sure). It's why we were all so close, why we had so many inside jokes (parfaits? Everybody loves parfaits!), why we grew from basically an ensemble to dozens of members. You made more of an impact than you will ever know. And Mrs. Browne did, as well: "Hallelujah" for her and her fantastic brownie-making skills.

I admit it was hard at first to find the motivation to pick up music again after my arrival here. You know yourself how attached one can be to their own instruments: the ones here were unfamiliar, not to mention a whole quarter larger than the one I usually play. It's thanks to you, though, that I persevered through my musical rut. I remember your stories about your own personal experiences from quitting music, and feeling like there was something missing. And there was, after a while. So, after some talk with the very kind musical staff here, the school actually bought me my own 3/4 cello to use and keep in the House. From that point on, I have been playing consistently and happily at the school. While I am taking the year off from lessons, you would be proud of the progress I am still making by simply and purely playing.

The orchestra here is larger than the one you conducted at Culver, although it does lack the small community feel of the orchestra we both know so well. This may be because we only meet once a week on Mondays, and with the band too. The pieces we play are, to put it colloquially, awesome-- although nothing beats our own rendition of 1812 with cannons and chapel bells and the whole shebang. We are, however, playing quite a few sections of the Carmina Burana (yes, including O Fortuna), Malcom Arnold's Four Scottish Dances, and Milhaud's Brasileira from Scaramouche. Most of the pieces we are preparing now will be performed at Usher Hall in Edinburgh at Christmas, which will definitely be a high point for my year, and I believe that there will also be a formal Easter concert.

The Usher Hall Concert in 2015.

But I also decided to branch out from my usual musical activities, as well. As you know, orchestra and choir both met in the notoriously artsy B Block at the Academies, so I couldn't sing as much as I wanted to. You will be happy to know that I enjoy it as much as I do the cello. Chamber Choir meets every Wednesday and Thursday, and Mixed Voice Choir (an open choir) is on Wednesday as well. We have already had one performance-- an open rehearsal for an information dinner-- that went quite well. Sure enough, what you taught us in orchestra has also applied here: for example, I always think of your suggestion to "listen across" in order to better blend in to the voices. And, of course, subdividing always helps. It's like the cure-all for musical problems.

You would be amused at the rhythmic nicknames in Britain, as well: there are no half notes, quarter notes, or sixteenth notes. Instead, there are minims, crotchets, and quavers, respectfully. And, get this-- a 256th note would be called a demisemihemidemisemiquaver. Not that anyone would play that, of course, but try saying it five times fast anyway.

Otherwise, music is completely the same as it was in the States, just like how it would be anywhere else in the world. It really is the common language of the universe, a bond that ties humanity together. You couldn't have been more correct in saying that music will always be there, because it is. Thank you for showing me that.

Sincerely,

Arielle Pare

Soil Studies, Playing Cards, and White-Water Rafting

This week, the Advanced Higher Geography classes took a three-day trip to the town of Aberfeldy in Central Scotland to review the procedures of various surveys and experiments used in the study of Geography. All thirteen of us will be completing a survey throughout the year of our own choice, but in order to effectively gather analysis, we had to learn how to use the various equipment and techniques, we needed a bit or review first.

Aberfeldy does have a few claims to fame: firstly, its nickname--"the heart of Scotland"-- is as literal as it is metaphorical. It is in almost the exact center of Scotland, both from North to South and from East to West. In addition, the natural beauty of the town won attention by the poem "The Birks of Aberfeldy," which was written fondly by Robert Burns, the national bard (yes, Scotland has a national bard. Also, the national animal is a unicorn, which is pretty cool.) Aberfeldy is located on the River Tay, which leads to nearby Loch Tay, and is home to many beautiful animal and plant species. Therefore, it was perfect for the geography classes because it has immense variation of land use, and was also less than two hours away.

"The Armadillo," a cute little suite outside of our bunkhouse.

So, without further ado, here is a rough schedule we followed while on our educational adventure.

DAY 1- WEDNESDAY

The day officially began as I hurriedly ate breakfast inside the house, arrived at 7:50 at the school, and was shocked to find the parking lot completely empty. In the midst of panicking, I took out the schedule we were given (when in doubt, read the directions) and sure enough, the departure was at 8:50. So. A long and embarrassing hour later, We were on our way to the Heart of Scotland itself. We did stop about halfway to our destination, however, to study some glacial and glacial-fluvial deposits.

The bunkhouse was a quaint, cozy little place where we were able to relax after a long day.

After arriving to Glassie Farm and settling down in the bunkhouse where we stayed, we immersed ourselves in what was not exactly the most exciting part of our three-day adventure: soil studies. This is quite tedious work; groups had to collect soil samples from designated areas on deciduous forest, open rough grazing, and coniferous land while taking note of the vegetation in the area. We did see a horse, though, so everything was worthwhile in the end.

Darwin and Stephanie admiring this beauty. 

Finally, we came back to the bunkhouse and had a wonderful dinner of pepperoni pasta (my class's choice) before diving again into our soil study. I can't exactly say that I was super excited about the percentage of moisture in the soil, or the breakdown of clay, silt, and sand in the three different areas, but I did feel like I was learning quite a bit about geographical characteristics. After our work was done, we relaxed a bit by watching "The Great British Bake-Off" and playing numerous different types of card games. My favorite was "spoons," a fast-paced game not unlike Musical Chairs, except grabbing spoons instead when one person collected all four of a suit. Then, after a few games of Truth or Dare and some Dollar Academy gossip (which was way over my head: I was the only new pupil present, and they were all familiar with one another), we finally went to bed to rest before another exciting day.

DAY 2- THURSDAY

Our day began with some delicious homemade pancakes, but we were out of the bunkhouse as early as possible.The first study we completed was on the Cochil Burn, analyzing the velocity of the river on meanders and straight sections, as well as different rock types. There was actually a wind advisory warning for the weather, so I'll leave it up to your imagination what it was like down by the river. We waded to the top of our "wellies" (Wellington boots) for a few hours, marking down the various aspects while trying not to become too wet.

Lachlan and Mr. McConnell being completely unaware of the fantastic view behind them.

After eating our pack lunch on top of one of the awe-inspiring viewpoints of Aberfeldy, the geography class went to the center of the town to learn some human geography procedures. This involved marking down the use of buildings, environmental quality analysis of the area, and asking questionnaires to numerous passers-by we met. I do have to say that human geography is my favorite aspect of geography, and honestly, it was the reason I decided to take the course. Even the intimidation of going up to strangers and asking them to fill out a survey was better, at least to me, than standing out in a river measuring the size of pebbles. Plus, it was warmer in the center of the city. But, you know, to each his own.

We then went down to the beach of Loch Tay for a bit, not to carry out any studies, but to discuss hypothetical data-gathering should any of us choose to study beaches for our projects. It certainly was a beautiful area, especially with the rain only slightly visible in the distance between the hills.

In geography terms, this is called a U-shaped valley. Gotta use those vocab terms. 

One fiesta later (the other class made fajitas and basically threw a Mexican party while they were at it), we completed a short essay of a human geography and a physical geography hypothesis. This activity triggered ideas about our own surveys, and the techniques that interested us the most. Currently, I am considering carrying out a study in Stirling about either environmental quality, pollution, or safety, but I have until Christmas to decide. We finished quite late, around 9:30, played a few card games, and went to bed for our last night in Aberfeldy.

DAY 3- FRIDAY

As our time in Aberfeldy came to a close, we shared one last cooked breakfast together and cleaned up the bunkhouse for our departure. We still had a few science-y tasks to accomplish, such as collecting our rain gauges from the first day and measuring the rate of infiltration on different gradients of a slope. But as our work was mostly completed and done, we moved on to our last (and most exciting) activity: white-water rafting on the rapids of the River Tay.

Here we go...

Despite the satisfaction of crossing another activity off my bucket list, I can officially say that white-water rafting is definitely not my thing. The air temperature, not counting chill from wind and rain, was low 50's at least and the water seemed even colder. Yes, the waves were thrilling, but the time in-between just paddling in the cold--even in a wetsuit-- were close to miserable. Even worse, my feet were completely numb afterwards in my soaking wet sneakers. But I'm glad I went through with it, because I don't have to worry about doing it in the future sometime.

At the start of our journey down the river. I'm at the back, wearing a blue helmet.

Why, yes, that is our boat.

I have to say that I did learn quite a few new British phrases on this trip. I'm not sure how many of them were popular in the group, in the school, or in Scotland, but I must admit it was definitely amusing. "Gaff," for example, was used in the sense of a party/rave (as opposed to my prior context of a political blunder), and "chip" (paired with "chip not") is comparable with Americans "calling something (i.e. "I call shotgun"). Even though I mostly felt out of place since everyone else had known each other for years, I did get a chance to experience the group for who they actually were. And, sometimes, I felt like one of them.

The gang, all together.

Most importantly, Aberfeldy was fantastic in the sense that I was completely immersed in the science and beauty of geography itself. I still don't completely understand the total effects of glaciation, and I still can't wrap around some confusing vocab terms (see: "scree"), but that will come in time. The point is, I understand and appreciate the subject much better than I did before, and I know how to use the equipment in order to complete my main study for the year. I didn't consider myself a "science person" before I took the class, but as I see myself being curious about the material of the course, it may be time for me to reconsider.