A Day in the Life

Finally... My routine at Dollar Academy is set and rolling, which is so relieving. I realized recently that this is my first time being the "new girl;" Culver didn't really count because of my familiarity with the area (and the people. Now I understand, when we welcomed the new students in the dorm, what it feels like to be thrown into a totally new environment and start fresh.

This is what my "walk in the park" looks like.

It's a good feeling, don't get me wrong. A new opportunity; no stereotypes (except for, you know, the whole American thing. I've lost count of how many people have asked me if I'm voting for Trump). A chance to be a better person. But the process involves lots of "new"-- like, slap-in-the-face amount of "new." If "new" was a material I would be drowning in it. New accents; new people; new food; new education style; new subjects; new culture. It's enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed, but more importantly, it makes me realize what I loved about home in the first place. However, I prefer to sit back, relax, and take all that "new" in with appreciation and a bit of fun as well. It's a refreshing change, after all.

Speaking of change, I take this opportunity to give a full example of a normal weekday at Dollar Academy. Much like the Academies, of course, not every day is remotely the same-- extracurricular activities, meetings, and other tasks makes it impossible. But I'll do my best.

I'll bet your school doesn't have a view like this.

7:15 AM

A still half-asleep girl with the weekly chore of waking the house up walks around the rooms, ringing an increasingly annoying bell. The worst part of the day.

7:45 AM

I walk over with a group of girls for breakfast, which is usually quite good. Fruit is popular here (my favorite: peaches), but usually there are different breads and protein choices here. Scottish people do like their sausages.

The main building, and the prettiest one. Most of my classes are here. 

8:45 AM

Registration class begins. This is literally just a class to see if the students actually show up for the school day. We usually just sit and check our social media.

9:00 AM (ish) (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Assembly, or in the Culver lingo, All-school Meeting. However, it is a bit more formal. Teachers process in while wearing black gowns, and we sing a hymn. A bible verse is read, and announcements are given from the Rector (short for Director).

9:05 AM

Class time; an hour for each. A few free periods thrown in as well, on some days. They are on a rotating schedule, so no one class is first, so I'll just pick an order randomly for descriptions.

ADVANCED HIGHER GEOGRAPHY: This course is a bit more scienc-ey than I though it would be, yet equally as fascinating. The highest class in my schedule, we will take an exam at the end of the year, but we also have our own annual project. For this, we must write about a geological issue, and have a folio of an area that we choose to study.

HIGHER MODERN STUDIES: Possibly my most interesting course so far, "Mods" is basically the study of current events. Our three units--terrorism, social inequality, and democracy in Scotland-- are all globally prevalent, and studying them in depth is grounding and thought-provoking. However, it's also the class I've gotten the most prep (A.K.A homework) in so far, which is not so lovable.

POLITICS: After AP Government and Politics, this course is a bit repetitive for me, but it is a good course nonetheless. My favorite teacher is in this course; he is humorous and encourages discussion albeit a bit provocative (his wall is covered in left-wing and even Communist leaders).

This guy really, really likes Che Guevara. 

ITALIAN: This course is a module, which in Culverian means a non-solid (sorry, all you non-Culverites. This translation thing is probably extremely annoying.). It only meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so today was my first class. Instead of solely focusing on the language, we also discussed the region, history, and culture of Italy, which I appreciated.


HOME ECONOMICS: A once-a-week course, I haven't had Home Ec yet. But from what I've been told, it's just baking and cooking. Not much to report here then.

12:30 PM

The long-awaited lunch time. While day students have the choice to pack their lunch, and if boarders decide not to go into town, the dining hall serves salad, pasta, a main course, wraps, and soups. The salad bar is usually quite good, with fresh fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately students must choose between the choices above and cannot, say, get a soup and a salad.

1:25-3-25 PM

Whatever classes we did not have in the morning occur at this time, except with much less energy.

3:25 PM-5 PM

Free time, fine arts, volunteering, clubs, or sports. For now, this is mostly my reading time, but on Monday I had orchestra class, and in the future I plan to do more activities to keep me busy. Thanks, Culver.

The entrance to Heyworth House, my new home.

5 PM

What would be "dinner" or "supper" is now "tea," a label I am still getting used to. Frankly, this meal is the worst-- less choice, and just plain bland food. Did I mention that each meal comes with a potato dish of some kind? Yes, that gets old after a while. One can only have so many fries, apparently.

6-8 PM

This is "prep time," or CQ, or homework time. Which is now, so technically I am being a bad student with no discipline. Usually classes don't give out more than a half an hour each, with the exception perhaps of some advanced highers. Even if boarders are done with their prep, they still have to prop their doors open so those Netflix-watchers don't get carried away.

8 PM- Whatever time I go to sleep:

I think of this time as sort of personal: get done what I could not during the day, do some reading, maybe even draw in that coloring book Mom bought for me. Sometimes Heyworth House girls get together and watch a movie, play a game, or compete in Just Dance on the Wii.

I'm actually surprisingly good. Don't judge.

On weekends, we can go to Stirling, which is about 35 minutes away, to do some shopping or to see a movie. The school also very kindly offers trips for us throughout the year-- I am looking forward most to Escape Glasgow, a simulation game in Glasgow, Scotland where my house girls and I will be trapped together and must find a way to escape.

Although I say that my routine is set and fixed, it is only partially true. Our timetables are not set in stone until two months pass, so I could decide to change a class. And who know what I might join next? Field Hockey? Ecology Committee?

It looks like the "new" has only just begun. Bring it on.

It's Time to Learn

First day of school: check.



It's been a tiring (and eventful) first few days at the Dollar Academy. In that short span...

-I moved into my new home- Heyworth House. There are about 16 girls overall, cared for by a hospitable family with two little boys and two cats.The house is as multicultural as it is comfortable, with girls from China, Croatia, Montenegro, Barbados, Germany, and other places.
-I settled down into my new room (which is a single! Yay!). While my orange curtains are fantastic, that cool hanging lamp was smoking when I turned it on, which was definitely not as fantastic. I can walk to town basically any time that I want, which is also nice, and wear normal clothes--Civvies, anyone?-- after the school day.

My new dorm room. Be jealous of the rugs.

-I picked my classes. For full classes (in the Culver lingo of "solids"), I have Modern Studies, Geography, and Politics. Can you tell that I love the Humanities? For modules, which are the fun classes, I picked Home Economics and Italian. And, no, I don't speak a word of the language yet, so that's going to be interesting. I've only attended two periods, one of "Mods" and the other of  geography, because of the back-to-school training and all. As soon as I get more of a feel for the classes, I will certainly give a report.
-I got my new uniform, as illustrated below. Culver girls, stop complaining about the kilts-- these are below the knee, so shut up. Yes, I do have a tie, but few girls are wearing them at this time of year.

Snazzy.

-My laptop charger broke, probably because of the different voltage here.
-I've had, like, 32,974 cups of tea. Lemon ginger is my favorite one in the dorm house, which is available 24/7.
-Most of the names of the hundreds of people I have met from Thursday have now escaped from my brain. Oh well.
-I tried Irn Bru, the unofficial national soft drink of Scotland, It tastes like a mixture of cream soda, bubble gum, and oranges. Tonight, some friends are taking me out for a deep-fried mars bar, which will definitely be an event to document.
-Last, but not least, I am beginning to feel more independent than ever here, especially because of the emphasis on personal responsibility and improvement. If pupils want to succeed, they do-- simple. If we do our work, then we will be rewarded, both by our own satisfaction and those around us. This style fits well with my own work ethic, and I appreciate the value of knowledge and determination in place at the school. I must take my responsibilities upon myself, and I do so with enthusiasm and care.

At least, I say that now. Hold me to that in the dead of winter...

A Priceless Town (Pun Intended)

The town of Dollar in the county of Clackmannanshire, Scotland is actually quite similar in its layout to Culver, Indiana. It is a small town, with a respected high school at its heart. Its charming village is surrounded by farmland and rural country scenes. But this is where the likeness stops. Instead of farm cows, fluffy sheep graze for miles. Instead of lakehouses, ancient stone houses line the streets. And instead of cornfields, mountains can be seen far into the distance.

As far as shopping goes, Dollar keeps it simple. A Co-op (the grocery store), a few art galleries, a few more pubs, a paper shop, a miniature bridal store. The best lunch spot, I have heard, is the Cafe Des Fleurs-- where Dollar Academy girls like to go on lunch breaks. I myself have only yet gotten tea, but I'm sure I will be spending much more time (and money) there in the future. There is also a small museum, where visitors can experience the rich past of this tiny village.

Just out of town, however, is the beautiful Dollar Glen. I'm told "glen" means "valley," but it's more of a mountain walk decorated with beautiful falls and vibrant life. The long and rugged walk up the trail, however, is rewarded by Dollar's own Castle Campbell. I've only seen the building so far after my hike up the mountain, but I hope to explore it before school gets to be too much.

As for the school, it is actually smaller than Culver-- 70 acres, and while it has the equal of 800 students, they are spread out from ages 5 to 18. Students are more commonly day students than boarding students, with only about 90 of the latter. My boarding house is one of two for girls, named Heyworth House (and I have a single room!). The facilities otherwise are excellent, from what I have seen, and an excellent place to live, learn, and make new friends

Despite my eagerness to stay in Dollar for the year, I am already daydreaming of where to travel when the opportunity presents itself. Amsterdam? Paris? Rome? Maybe somewhere unexpected? There is so much to see and not enough time to try and experience everything.

But, knowing myself, I definitely will try.

Goodbye Edinbugh, Hello Dollar

By this time, you have probably figured out that I love lists. They are simple, effective, and easy to create. So, without further ado, here is one that describes most of my adventures in the past few blog-less days.

I have:

-Explored the Edinburgh Castle, inculding but not limited to: the Honours of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, prisons of war, and St. Margaret's Chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh)

- Had my mind blown at Camera Obscura, the World of Illusions

-Tried Haggis, Cullen Skink, Millionaire Shortbread, authentic Scottish whisky, Rosé wine, smoked salmon, Black Pudding, HP Sauce, British teas, and much more

-Experienced the wonderful show "Attrape Moi," an elegant and modern circus, at the Assembly Hall on the Royal Mile

-Crossed too many streets the wrong way

-Seen magicians, weavers, singers, dancers, bagpipe-players, actors, and comedians during the Fringe Festival

-Found my favorite casual food place (Greggs)

-Found peace in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh

-Marveled at the ancient Saint Gile's Cathedral

-Been at the top (and the front!) of a double-decker bus

-Won a Converse All-Star counting contest, featuring Mom as the loser

-Lost a maxi-skirt counting contest, with Mom as the winner (even though there was only one)

-Watched the famous Tartan Weaving Mill work its magic, while enjoying the feel of cashmere scarves

-Finally arrived safe and sound in Dollar, ready for school

A view from Edinburgh Castle

It's been a wild few days, but it couldn't have been better. Mom and I shared lots of laughs, moments of awe, and interesting experiences in such a short time, making it an unforgettable bond. And special thanks to Dad for providing me with a wonderful camera to document mostly all of these events. The ones on this page are the few on my phone, but the others are infinitely better. As soon as I figure out how to get those pictures to my computer I will upload them...

Mochas and marshmallow chocolate at breakfast

...And so now I am at rest, at my wonderful host family's house. It's been helpful to get to know the area, the customs, and the people better-- even if I've really only gotten a glimpse. School does not start until the 25th, so I will have some downtime to prepare myself for what is to come. But only shortly, of course. Uniforms, last-minute purchases, future co-curricular activities and classes, and yes, a bit of pre-school studying are only a few of the many items on my to-do list until then. However, from now on, I'll almost always have time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

A Glimpse of Edinburgh

A tea paradise at the Beefeater for breakfast. Mom and I both had Mango Strawberry herbal tea, which was obviously awesome-- even for mom, who doesn't even like tea.

A little suspicious. "Long-life whitener."

This is for my brother Alex, just to prove that there is in fact peanut butter in the UK. 

A beautiful scene of the country while desperately looking for the post office to collect my Biometric Residence Permit (I was going completely wrong way anyway).

One of the many beautiful, unique buildings lining the streets of downtown. This one is a Protestant church, but even the apartments look amazing.

It's hard to believe that this is the same moon that I have seen in Culver, but it really is.

Still getting used to the whole left-side-of-the-road thing. The paint lines are different too, which can sound irrelevant but can actually be a real trip-up.

*Doctor Who theme song playing*

Because that's what we are... We are staying here tonight, as well as tomorrow night.

My first European Cider, because it's legal (for now). 

And finally, my mother at the hotel, still working hard on the Culver Citizen despite walking all day and getting us around. Four for you, Mom. You go, Mom.

Up, Up and Away

As our airplane gathered speed down the brightly lit runway at dusk, so did the pace of my heart. Finally, after months of anticipation, weeks of premature packing, and a slightly delayed flight, I am no longer on USA ground. And it was all totally worth it. I'm so glad to have this time to explore and relax with my mom before school starts, while she needs the vacation too. We've already experienced so much, from goat cheese chili chutney baguettes to barely understandable Scottish taxi drivers. We've dropped off most of my luggage at Dollar already, but the jetlag has virtually slapped us in the face, so it's an early night in. It doesn't quite feel real yet, but I know it will soon. That time will come.

Despite just arriving in another country for the first time just a few hours ago, here's a list of a few things I have learned so far:

1. Yes, Scotland really is as beautiful as people say, and more. I haven't taken too many pictures yet partially because it just isn't quite the same as experiencing them in person, and partially because my camera was being held hostage in my checked baggage. But really. The mountains, the flowers, the old buildings-- every detail is a reminder of what an amazing world we live in.

2. While the sightseeing is superior to anything I have ever experienced, I do already miss American toilets. The ones here are square, which is just plain wrong, and they flush weird.

3. Flexibility is an absolute must while traveling. My mom and I were looking forward to seeing Paris for the few days that we will be together, but with all the traveling time and complications, we decided our time would be better spent getting to know the area. The Cathedral of Notre Dame would have been nice, but there's also apparently a comedy festival taking place in Edinburgh this week, so it all works out in the end.

4. THE STARBUCKS HERE HAVE YOGHURT FRAPPUCCINOS (note the odd spelling as well). WHAT.

5. All the little details-- local phrases, familiarity with currency and cash, bus schedules-- they all matter. I wish I did more studying before I left to know the area a little better than I do now. Oops.

So, I still have so much to learn. That's what the next 11 months are for, after all. It's going to be a wild, crazy, fulfilling ride. But for now, it's time to pass out and catch up on some long-awaited sleep...

Decisions, Decisions

Should I pack this pair of heels? Will I be able to get this soap in the UK? Do I need to take my Social Security card? Am I going to be able to live so long without lovely American peanut butter, or should I sacrifice a few pounds of my suitcase for it?

Too many choices and not enough time.

As I agonize over which of my possessions gets a coveted place in my luggage, however, my enthusiasm is intact-- and growing by the day. For the first time, I am leaving my small-town residence and seeing the world, or at least more of it, and even packing my bags stirs a sense of anticipation and excitement. The countdown of days has been taking effect since way back in April, of course, when I learned of my new location for the school year, and finally it is in the single digits.

And yet, my eagerness is nuanced by other emotions-- a bit of fear, a touch of sadness. How will I live without seeing my family for nine months? Without walking on the beautiful shores of Lake Maxinkuckee that I have known for my whole life? Without everything I have previously known? Despite my hesitance at leaving so much of my life behind, the positive emotions outweigh the negative emotions by far. After all, how else would I get the chance to experience the Scottish Highlands, bike through Paris, pray in the Catacombs of Rome? Or gain a whole other perspective from people I never would have known? Part of becoming a better person is being willing to leave behind the past, even if temporarily, in order to seize the present day and its opportunities. Hopefully, I'll be able to make the lives of others better and happier as well, because that's what life is about when all is said and done.

I think I'll pack that peanut butter, after all. And maybe the heels too.