Another Post, At Last!!

Hi All,

It's been quite a while since I have posted an update, and for that I apologize. I am sure you have all been anxiously awaiting and checking the blog during your busy schedules daily for an update. This post is dedicated to my dear friend and former roomie, Rachel, who requested this update over a week ago! I have been swamped with schoolwork and studying for exams, and so last week I did not allow myself to respond to many emails or update the blog. Frustrating I know...why am I over here anyways? Who would have guessed that school would take over my time??

Let's see if I can fill you in on the past few weeks - it's been busy around St. Andrews and Deans Court! Winter is finally here, unfortunately. Yesterday was probably the coldest day we've had - only about 34 degrees. Luckily the wind wasn't bad yesterday. Last week we had what the locals call a "storm" where there was really strong winds all day. I was in a meeting on campus one evening and the wind was so strong that even though the windows were closed, the draperies inside the building were still blowing. I would guess that the wind was between 30 & 40 mph - it almost knocked me down at one point. The time changed back one hour this past weekend and it really does make a huge difference. I have been running around 5 pm in the evenings and until this week, it has been nice to watch the sunset. Since the time change, it is pitch black at 5 pm - makes a difficult run on the beach with no lights. I guess the running will have to be limited to the lit areas this winter!

A few weeks ago Deans Court hosted a Formal Dinner for its residents. This required everyone to dress up - the boys came in their tuxes (or "dinner jackets") and suits and all the girls looked nice as well. It was a lot of fun - they offered cocktails before dinner, then a 3-course meal, and then we all gathered in our common room after dinner to finish the night off. It was a great night of fellowship and fun with the 50 or so people who live in Deans Court. Everyone really is great and so much fun, and we all get along so well!

As Deans Court residents, we decided that we needed to utilize our beautiful garden before it got too cold and have a "Garden Party". We planned it for a Friday evening a few weeks ago. It turned out to be a big hit! Postgrads from all over St. Andrews showed up for the Garden Party. It was great to have so many other people join in on the fun! Deans Court has proven to be the social mecca for many postgrads. However, it WAS too cold to have it outside, so we moved it into the common room. We just socialized all night and hung out with everyone. Some of the guys who live here that are more musically talented brought their guitars and such and played the piano as others sang along. Eventually we decided it couldn't be a true Garden Party unless we spent some time in the garden. So we all bundled up in coats and the musicians brought their instruments out to the garden and we all stood around and sang along to the music. It was so much fun!!!

Last week wasn't as exciting as the previous week, as I said earlier I spent most of it studying. I am still playing tennis on Tuesday nights (with many layers on!) and golf lessons on Wednesdays. I enjoy both very much! Oh, and BIG NEWS - yours truly was officially elected last week as the Social Chair for the Postgraduate Society!!!! I know, fitting role huh? It should be a lot of fun. Apparently the Postgraduate Society has a huge budget and has a really great ball at the end of the school year. Last year they bussed the postgrads to a castle a little ways outside of St. Andrews. I'm sure we'll do something just as fun this year!

This weekend they've organized a Halloween event for Friday night in our dungeon-like medieval 14th century dining hall. That should be a good time! It will be interesting to see how everyone comes dressed up as - apparently the Brits aren't big on dressing up for Halloween. No worries, though, because the Americans are influencing them more and more each day!

That's about all the updates I have for now. This past weekend wasn't especially exciting, as I spent 8 hours on Saturday with some friends in a coffee shop studying and then more studying again on Sunday. Had my first exam on Monday, and I think/hope it went well! I have another exam to prepare for next week along with 2 papers. Next Thursday I'm taking off with four of my friends to Sweden to visit until the following Wednesday, and then we are heading down to London for the rest of the week. I'm really excited about it. Haven't been out of Scotland yet, so it should be a good change of scenery with friends! I'll be sure to post/send pictures when I get back. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Sending my LOVE and HUGS!!!