busy....

It is hard to believe that there are only two weeks of classes left for my semester abroad. I'm sort of glad I only did a semester because I am missing home in massive quantities right now, but I half wish that I had more of an opportunity (and more financial ummm assets) to be able to explore and immerse myself more. Ah well. After these two weeks, I'm going home for a week which is unbelieably welcome..... I have to get through a 2000 word essay, a presentation on Political Islam and Jihadi Movements, then take my Economic History exam. Extremely glad to be done with Economic History after next Wednesday. Moreso than you'd ever realize.

My mom was here two weeks ago, it was really great to have a little bit of home in Edinburgh. We did lots of the touristy stuff that I had been saving to do with her (read: too cheap). We got into a little debacle the first day when the ATM ate my debit card. AKA the only access I have to my American money in Scotland. It was sort of a bitch to deal with, but Visa sent me an emergency replacement card in two days. Friday, we hiked up Arthur's Seat, which had so many beautiful views. I took massive amounts of pictures. I am too lazy to put them into a post.... maybe later. You get views of the Firth of Fife, or some kind of tongue twisting name like that, as well as of the city. Just beautiful hiking up there. You feel so accomplished once you get down and realize how high you've just been. We also walke to Edinburgh Castle later, and after taking about seventeen photos of it from Princes Street when I first got here, I finally ACTUALLY made it inside the castle. I remember going on the tour when I was here before, but it was just as good, if not better than before. To learn all the history about the castle, and about Scotland was so enlightening, in addition to being kind of eery knowing that historically famous people walked on the same cobblestones that I so humbly tripped on.

It mostly rained a lot while my mom was here, so I guess she got a good taste of Scotland. Saturday we went to Holyrood Palace, which was rather underwhelming, and then for a bit of shopping on Princes Street. Mom finally got her Scottish kilt. She was rather disappointed that there were no Pringle Cashmere of Scotland actually in Scotland, but alas. Sunday, we went to the airport, and had a rough goodbye, but only a little while until I see her again. I talked to people from the States on the busride back from the airport and I felt so knowledgeable and cultured to be able to give them advice.

Spring break plans are still kind of up in the air..... For sure, am going HOME, Paris, London, and Rome. Hopefully will go to Venice for a few days, and then back to Edinburgh to take exams in May. Not really sure I like the concept of exams. I guess I was sort of spoiled with hardly any exams at MHC..... but spoiled here in that I think a 6 page essay, a presentation and an exam are TONNES of work. I am getting kind of sick of writing papers in British English. Neighbor. Armor. Argh.