So I'm currently propped up in my bed (ignoring my slightly sore throat) but enjoying the fact that today (Wednesday) I have no classes at all. That's right. And none on Thursday either. And just one 50 minute one on Friday. I'm in a gloating mood. Anyway, you may be wondering if I ever go to class here, but let me assure you that I do, although it is hardly a statistically significant percentage (have you ever noticed that if you make mention of something being statistically significant with a science person around, particularly psychology, they start laughing uproariously? It has taken me a long time to understand that because things being statistically significant is so...significant...amongst science people that when mentioned in everyday conversation they think it's the funniest thing they've ever heard. Like the mug that all science people seem to know about stating, "I am statistically significant." I still don't think that it is funny.) Anyway, yes, I don't have many classes (because two of them meet only once a week) but I do complete massive quantities of reading every week if that's of comfort to you. I didn't come to Scotland to do nothing. So with my free time I generally enjoy running in Holyrood Park, going on little hikes up Arthur's Seat, drinking tea, planning weekend excursions, going to EUCU events (Edinburgh University Christian Union) and cooking for the people in my flat.
Speaking of weekend excursions, I went to Loch Ness this past weekend with Friederike and Frank from my flat, as well as a guy named Toma that I know from Richmond. We took the bus to a little town called Dunnadrochit (I may have spelled this wrong) where we went on a quite epic many-hour long walk/hike that involved scrambling down some massive wooded-hillsides in the general direction of the Loch which, surprisingly, we did reach. It was raining for about 62% of the time, but that meant that when it wasn't raining there were soooo many beautiful rainbows everywhere. It was AMAZING. Plus, rain never dampens my joy anymore (sorry about the painful pun) because it's always raining or threatening of it so if you let it ruin your fun you would live a rather dull life here. But yes, that walk was so beautiful.
And NO, I did not see Nessie. Though Sylvie was hoping very sincerely. She's read a book about it. You should bring it up with her sometime. Really.
Among other trips that we hope to take are a visit to St. Andrews (we're thinking about next Wednesday), a weekend trip to Glencoe with our friend Brittany (this weekend), and a weekend trip to the Isle of Skye in a few weeks as a flat (meaning Friederike and Frank would come.)
Speaking of flatmates, Fredi just came in and asked me if I wanted porridge for breakfast...mmm...someone is always cooking something here and I love it. I also love how Scottish porridge is...so appropriate.
Speaking of Scottish things, last night with dinner we all tried some of the darkest Ale I think it is possible to make. I felt as if I had eaten a piece of fermented bread drenched with very, very bitter chocolate. This may sound nice to you (I don't judge) but I didn't care for it too much. Two sips of it made me feel fuller than eating my dinner had. But I'm trying to be adventurous with consuming "traditional Scottish" things even though they often sound unappealing to me. Like haggis. We'll see if I ever manage to eat some. But I suppose I'll have to because Sylvie informed me last night that she won't let me leave Scotland until I try some.
Amongst other things that Sylvie and I have been doing in attempts to make ourselves as cultured as our flatmates are learning to salsa dance, I am trying to pick up Russian from Fredi (who speaks 6 languages or so), and we are taking a group excursion to see a Picasso exhibit later today. So don't worry, these clumsy, loud Americans are attempting to keep up with the sophisticated, bored-with-culture-because-its-so-"done" Europeans. If that last bit didn't make sense to you that's ok. I'm not sure that I understand what I was trying to say either. (This is my attempt at being self-reflexive.)
Alrighty then, I think that the porridge is ready so I'm off.
Cheers!! (Such an odd phrase, for the record. Nothing worse than wanting a heartfelt thank-you and getting a "cheers" instead. What does it mean???)
Hi Marianne!!! This is Lauren's friend Michelle! A link to your blog popped up in my Facebook news feed and I thought I'd check it out!
ReplyDelete1) Whatever illness has been sweeping the city is NOT FUN. The Scottish people I've talked to recommend blackcurrant flavored Lemsip to soothe a sore throat. I've tried it and it does work! Just watch out for the aftertaste.... Yuck!
2) I never know what to say to Cheers! You can't say, "You're welcome," can you? While I like the thought of spreading good cheer, a nice "Thank you!" is always appreciated and understood.
Hope your throat gets better!!!!!
-Michelle
marianne, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. thanks! I've gotten my "Marianne refreshment" even though you're so far away..it comes out in your blog. =) though I must say it makes me miss you. Super thanks for giving me a procrastination tool. I am indebted to you. Hope your throat feels better!
ReplyDeleteps..hello sylvie
According to what i learned in my Bstats class, statistically significant statement is a statistical statement that has been accepted based on the data taken from a random sample(s) of a population. A parameter of error (alpha level or level of significance) is placed around the distribution of means. This error rate is the amount of error you are willing to accept in order to accept your null hypothesis in the context of your research. Then creating a theory. Statistics is inductive. Science is a culture of deductive thinking, so they think statistics are funny, especially the parameter of error concept because in science, the sky's the limit. Scientists try to prove error wrong by proving it possibility through testing. Statisticians accept error as fact based on observation and choose the extent to which they are willing to accept it and then move on with their lives.
ReplyDeletecheers: c.1225, from Anglo-Norm. chere "the face," from O.Fr. chiere, from L.L. cara "face," from Gk. kara "head," from PIE base *ker- "head." Already by M.E. meaning had extended metaphorically to "mood, demeanor, mental condition" as reflected in the face. Could be in a good or bad sense ("The feend ... beguiled her with treacherye, and brought her into a dreerye cheere," "Merline," c.1500), but positive sense has predominated since c.1400. Meaning "shout of encouragement" first recorded 1720, perhaps nautical slang (earlier "to encourage by words or deeds," c.1430). Cheer up (intrans.) first attested 1676. Cheers as a salute or toast when taking a drink is British, 1919. The old English greeting what cheer was picked up by Algonquian Indians of southern New England from the Puritans and spread in Indian languages as far as Canada.
also see: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cheers
marianne: AWESOME post :) hehe.
ReplyDeletesarah: HI! thanks for faithfully following us! haha.
sonya: thanks for that. ;)
for the record, i LOVE when people say cheers. i mean, it's super useful to have a word that covers everything you would ever want/need to say!
Some suggested times to respond with a bright "Cheers!":
ReplyDeletesomeone telling you that you're being sued
someone handing you a drink
a professor telling you that you've failed a class
someone professing undying love for you
a child asking why the world is round
a policeman asking how fast you thought you were going...
Wow, you're right, cheers really can be applied to any given situation!!!