Things I have learned thus far.

This is going to be a continual work in progress I am sure. However,I have been sitting here realizing how little I have actually learned in preparation for my classes, while also realizing how much I have learned since I have been here. So here is what I have learned, and can remember learning right now.

I have learned far more words for waterproof coats and boots then I realized existed in the English language. The Eskimos might have 7 words for snow, but these people have atleast that many words for coats, boots, and intensities of rain....Jumpers, Waterproofs, Cagoules, Coat, Weatherproofs.... Wellies, Rain boots, Galoshes, overshoes... fog, mist, mizzle, drizzle, rain, etc.... and thats just naming a few

I have learned that Edinburgh represents the "show" Scotland puts on for tourists, while Glasgow represents the real Scotland. I have also learned that Edinburgh is pronounced Edinburra... or if you are from Glasgow then its Embra ....

I have learned that someone can be speaking perfect and "proper" English and that you can still not understand a word that came out of their mouth. Same goes for the fact that I can be speaking perfect and proper English and not be understood one little bit.

I have learned to always look at what bus number you take somewhere, so you dont end up somewhere like Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow with no idea where to go. (60 stalls or something, not to mention the many bus numbers that end up at each stall) http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/377408038_a90cccc8a8.jpg?v=0 (this is just one row... doesnt even show the chaos of the middle).

The other thing i have learned is that you should always read a time table for where you are getting on the bus when you are done with something... that way you do not leave an event early only to wait at the bus stop for 30 minutes.

I have almost learned how to read a bus time table.

I have learned that even recently forged friendships can prove valuable in the monetary and spiritual sense. (One new friend works at a bowling alley, which saved me £4 ($8) when international society went bowling).


Relationships enter a whole new realm when time constraints are placed on them. Wisconsin and her guy have known eachother less than 3 weeks, and have hit milestones (like meeting parents) that many would not see after 3 months. And they are by no means the minority.... cough cough *fencing drama* cough cough.


I have learned that people who under normal circumstances would be no more than acquaintences form special bonds abroad. Wyoming and I are not the sort of people who would have ever been birds of a feather at home.... in fact the international advisor almost did not give us eachothers contact information because she didnt think we would get along at all.... but when everything else is foreign, it is kind of nice to have someone who understands why you dont understand a bus time table, what rocky mountain oysters are, can pronounce Vedauwoo, and knows what the Buck is.

I have learned that I will NEVER understand Stirling Uni's class time table. This is honestly what my schedule looks like... AFTER i get it out of the scary time table book... and yes 2 of those classes do conflict... and you just have to live with it... I am looking forward to the day that the same class happens at the same time whatever days you have it... and that that class is in the same room each time you have it



I have learned that having your school computers set 7 hours ahead of your personal one confuses the tar out of any program that has times in any of its set up.... think Facebook status updates.... or this thing.

I have learned that Kazakhstan has a football (soccer) team. And that the English consider even beating them as an accomplishment... even though the BEST season in Kazakhstans 16 year football history was a 50% winning season.

I have learned that Plasters are Bandaids, Freshers or First years are Freshmen, Sods are Rednecks, Bogs are Toilets, Podzols are Spodisols,.... Argillic, Aluminum, Glaciers, Methane, and a few other words i cant think of are pronounced so differently here that you would hardly recognize them.... -ish is a common phrase to modify a statement.... Time is told such that 8:30 would be "half 8" not half past 8, not 8 thirty.... just half eight...

I have learned what Donner meat is (Lamb...... sometimes .... http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061209071356AAi9owx ) And that it doesnt mean we are being cannabals, nor are we eating Rudolph's mate. And that a Donner Kebab is called that due to it being on a skewer before they shave it off and hand it to you... not because it resembles a shishkabob


And I believe that is all I can think of right now. For those of you who are curious the birthday was a blast. Mary Poppins was way fun. The Playhouse is huge and amazing. Although it was a rather wet night. One of the fencers made brownies, complete with candles on Saturday which was really cool. Past that I really dont know a whole lot of new information. Lab today was dismal, and I am expecting the same from tutorial... so it should be just a lovely day all around.

For those of you with snow, I extend my sympathy, but the highs here have been in the mid 50's with lows in the mid 40's.... even when it is pouring rain. I hope everything is going well wherever you are reading this from. Take care and talk to you soon!!