Love's Strength Standeth in Love's Sacrifice

Today was a sad day; it was Kim and Richard's last day at Hamilton College. I am still in denial, because I fully expect to see them on Monday at break time in the staff room. But the reality is, they have to leave. And in only two weeks, we will have to leave. At least this way, we can still see Kim and Richard, like we will tomorrow night when we go into Glasgow with them. But in two or three weeks, we will be on another continent.

I am someone who loves to love, but hates goodbyes. I probably drove Kim and Richard nuts on Thursday evening when they came over for dinner because I kept asking, "Will you really still be friends with us when we leave?" to which they both responded with astonished, and mildly offended, responses of "YES!"

While at Edinburgh Castle, Kelly and I went in a hall devoted to honoring men and women who served in the past and those who still serve. In one section, the stone carving read "Love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice." Have you ever had one of those moments where you just hear or read something so obvious, so profound, and so enthralling that you can think of nothing else? I don't know how long I stared at those words, but stare I did, committing those words to memory, for they sum up not only the purpose of my being here, but also how I wish to live my life.

Ever since we arrived, I have had a greater appreciation for words and for their meaning. Part of this stems from the confusion of some words here, such as the confusion of pants vs. trousers, biscuits vs. cookies, and chips vs. french fries. I also have learned new words and phrases like grassbag, muck around, and slagging off. So when I read these words at the castle, I couldn't help but be entranced.

At this point, and this mental capacity, I'm not sure I can eloquently express what the words mean to me, but as I dwell on this, I will bear in mind the power that they hold, for they capture not only my reason for being here personally, but also why I can be here, through my faith in Christ who lived out these words in ways I can never dream.

 Kelly and I in front of Edinburgh Castle.

On Sunday, Mark took Kelly and I to St. Andrew's. Thankfully the golf course was not busy, so we didn't have much to fear in the land of golfers.

A picture of me at the university. I would kill to have such beautiful architecture on IWU's campus!!!

Think America has some old buildings? These church remains are from the 14th century! St. Andrew's Cathedral

And what's life without a little scenery. :)

I may not be a golfer, but I can certainly appreciate the 18th hole at St. Andrew's!

Crazy Whirlwinds

Why is it, that when we want to speed through a week or a month it drags like a teenage boy's pants? But when we want a moment to last, it speeds by faster than a driver on the Autobahn? For example, I'm sitting here watching "River City," a Scottish soap opera, and thinking, "Dear God, is this over yet?" But this week is the last for Kim and Richard at Hamilton College, and we're nearly half-way through the week? So unfair.

It is so difficult to take it all in. I've been into Glasgow several times, Edinburgh, St. Andrew's, and I have plans to go to Stirling (think Braveheart), Glasgow again, and London. Oh, and don't forget the trip to Spain! :) But in spite of all I've done and all I've seen, there is so much left to see and do. It's sad to think that I might miss something, but such is life. We cannot do everything. Sad, but true.

Last weekend was the busiest yet. Friday, we left from the school to go to the dry ski slopes with a school trip. They go every Friday. The trip mainly consisted of sitting in the lodge while students skied, but it was lovely. :) After, Natalie and Emma took us into Glasgow's west end for dinner and an evening out with the girls. We ate at a place called The Loft. I walked in, and automatically realized that I was out of place. So chique! We all shared some food, laughs and conversation. We met up with another teacher at a place called Dram! for the true Scottish pub atmosphere.

The next day, Kelly and I got up and went to the train station, where we hopped on a train bound for Cambuslang, then switched to a train for Bellshil, then finally for Edinburgh. The best part? We did it all without missing a train or getting lost! YAY! We met up with Judith, one of our teachers, and she took us to a little cafe where I drank my first ever full cup of tea. :) We then took an open bus tour of Edinburgh. I love all of the old architecture and history in the city. Later we went up to Edinburgh castle, which was where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI, who became king at 1 year old. We were even able to see the room where he was born! Also saw the crown Mary was adorned with at her coronation. After the castle, it was, of course, time for... SHOPPING! :D It was a late night, not getting home until 11, but totally worth it!

Sunday morning began with me cramped in the front seat of a two-door sports car and Kelly in the back seat. Mark picked us and took us to St. Andrew's, the oldest university in Scotland. I knew that, but not how old... Next year is the university's 600th birthday! And let me just say, I hope I look even a fraction that good when I'm 600 years old! We looked around the grounds and at the old church, which was built in the 13th century. So much history! It was a gloriously beautiful day, perfect for walking around and having a good time. However, I think one of the best parts of the day was getting to know our teacher better and laugh at his music choices. :)


And now, it's a new week, albeit a sad one since after Friday, we'll have two less joyful people at school. But in the mean time, I will live each day joyfully and gratefully, accepting the fact that time is going to fly by these last two and a half weeks.

Two Deep Red Roses

Life. A crazy, funny thing. This week positively flew by, which does not bode well for the remaining four weeks.

On Friday night, Kim came over for dinner. Allison made some delicious apple pancakes and bacon, and it totally hit the spot. After, we watched The King's Speech, an excellent choice. Saturday consisted of waking up and going to the Hamilton West train station where we met up with Mr. H. He took us into Partick for a football game of the Hamilton Accies (Academics) vs. the Partick Thistles. First, we walked to a little avenue with some antique stores and shopped around a bit. After our shopping was finished, we ate at a little cafe and then continued shopping. I found a little craft shop and may have indulged in some yarn that will be appearing in a MotherDaughter Creations hat. :)

Kim met up with us for the rest of the day, and we stopped in at a bar called Oran Mor. Where is it? Inside of an old church. I was torn between feelings of awe at the age and beauty of the building and the feeling of utter blasphemy. (The awe won out in the end. :) ) Then we went to the game, and may I just say, sports here are WAY different from sports at home. For one, the five of us girls increased the female population by about 1000%. That's one thousand. Not one hundred. Yeah. Also, the fans are far more... liberal, shall we say, with their words. I cannot repeat most of them, but rest assured, we laughed a lot at them. Our team, the Accies, lost 0 - 2. Quite embarrassing. But still, a fun day out. We met with a friend of Mr. H at a different pub, where I think we were the only women there who weren't bar-tending or clearing tables. At home that night, we just relaxed, watched a movie and went to bed.

I knew Sunday was going to be a glorious day when I woke up to sunlight streaming in the room, the sound of birds singing outside my window. Lindsay, a maths teacher, was kind enough to pick us up and take us to church. After, we took the twisting and turning back roads up to Loch Lomond. This place ranks by far in the Top 3 most beautiful places I have ever seen. Lindsay treated us to lunch at the Kilted Skirlie. I indulged in some decadent lasagne, and I never ever need to eat again! I also experienced the single most decadent strawberry dessert I have ever laid taste buds upon. Kelly and I parted ways with Lindsay and enjoyed a stroll through the nearby park, complete with castle ruins. There were so many beautiful aspects to the walk, but my favorite was the row of six benches in the sunlight. I wish my camera hadn't died at this point, because it was quite beautiful. Each bench had a plaque with an engraving of to whom it was dedicated. One bench had single deep red roses just laying on the bench, and for some reason, the beauty just struck me. Life is simple, yet complicated; gruesome, yet beautiful; and all anyone wants is to make a difference and be remembered. I would be content with a bench in the sun-covered hills of Scotland, but for now, I will strive daily to make a difference in my students' lives.

I am sitting on the couch with the girls watching the movie, "Life in a Day," a movie with film from all over the world filmed on the same day, July 24, 2010. It is so fascinating to see the beauty, pain, honesty, comedy, and diversity in the world. It's a wonderful documentary that I think aligns with many of my experiences here.

I have seen the beauty in a peaceful loch bordered by mountains. I have seen the pain of a student who lacks self-confidence and turns to cutting herself to cope. I have seen the honesty in a student's eyes as he says, "No miss. I don't really get it." I have seen the comedy in my class realizing that I don't know what the phrase sack it or the word grassbag mean. And I have seen diversity every single day here, not in the color of a person's skin, but in their thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.

Life. A beautiful, wonderful, spectacular mess.