My Adventure to Scotland

A bit bland

2008-03-20T09:05:00.001-07:00

So i have begun to realize that this blog is bland. Its full of pictures of my journey s but not much substance. Since this is read by such a variety of people, my church, my youth group, friends, family, etc. I have tried to keep it as simple as possible. But I am going to to give a little into the world of Leah's thesis, to try and spice it up a bit, or for those of you who like pictures better, bland it down a lot.

My thesis is on theology of reconciliation. those who are around me are probably so sick of hearing me talk about this, so you can just skip down a bit. i am looking different instances in the world where reconciliation was used at a higher level then most, ie: South Africa, Northern Ireland. Learning from what they did. Commenting that perhaps they should have permanent places of reconciliation to continue what they started etc. etc.

I guess the questions is, why do i even care about this? here is one reason, The south african truth and reconciliation council was considered one of the most respected means of reconciliation a country has ever seen. offering restorative justice instead of jail time is a crazy concept. but the truth is, as much as it has been praised, i look to the paper today and see "South African Students in horrific racist abuse" dated, today. Some students made janitors at a local university get on their knees and drink urine (the students) from their mop buckets. the reply by the student body? this kind of stuff happens all the time over the anger of integration. intergration! what an old word! or so we thought i suppose.

this isnt to pick on south africa, at least they tried and did acomplish a great deal by any stretch, but the violence and hatred still lingers and for what reason?

anyway, thats what i am hoping to see, going to india and mississippi of all places to study religious and racial peace centers who have set themselves in the midst of violence.

someone asked what was an influence of mine recently, now i by no means advocate john piper, we agree and disagree about 50% either way. but this speech, truly challenged me. and so i hope you will listen and enjoy.

Happy Post St. Patty's day!

2008-03-18T07:48:00.001-07:00

So there has been a lot going on in bonnie scotland! We had a trip to the beach close to here, and also a highlands adventure. So here are some pictures!

First my parent's present for Valentine's day!

The gang hangs out in the cemetary, and yes there is a skull and crossbone on that last gravestone!

The town and beach of North Berwick

Loch Ness!

The Cullins in the Highlands

Dunvegan Castle (of the McCleods)

The wildlife on the isle of skye!

Talisker Whiskey on the Isle of Skye, and my bank Royal Bank of Scotland, in Gaelic underneath.

Our Car, stubby, and the Fairy Glens

Fun in Edinburgh!!!!

hope you enjoy! the next update will be pics from the CRUISE!!!!!!!

until then, i love you and goodnight!

Hope you haven't forgotten me!

2008-01-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well, sorry for the lack of updates, but I have been home for a whole month for christmas....so here are some pictures to give you an idea of what I have been up to!

In Edinburgh, they have a Christmas festival called "winter wonderland" this is the view from South Bridge here in Edinburgh. You can see the famous ferriswheel. The city really lights up everywhere for the holidays.

Here is a view of parliament from the ferriswheel

Here is the castle and the skating rink from the ferris wheel

Here is Parliament and the skating rink.

Every year my family has a 'hat picture' where we get in goofy hats and take pictures...

Now i am back, and although I miss the usa, I live in maybe one of the most beautiful cities in teh world...i really do..don't believe me? Check out the sunset from my window..

Week in Review

2007-10-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

The bbc has the week in pictures for scotland...here you go with a few from this week

Celebration, soccer fanatics EVERYWHERE, and cute red headed kids with ridiculous accents.

Arthur's Seat

2007-10-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Its strange that situated in much the city center of edinburgh is a giant volcanic rock called Arthur's Seat. Named as such for some legend of King Arthur in a book of poetry that mentions it. Regardless, it is a right of passage for those living here to climb it, and so recently James, Robyn, Maggie and myself decided to brave it. Here are some pictures, we also found blackberry bushes and had awesome time with that :) almost felt like home!

At the base

Our beautiful fairy tale city

Robyn picking blackberries, James attacking blackberries, and Maggie and I just enjoying the splendor of them.

Climbing, and making it to the top.

farewell till next time!
leah

The Travel writer...Bill Bryson's thoughts...

2007-10-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

"And so I went to Edinburgh. Can there anywhere be a more beautiful and beguiling city to arrive at by train on a crisp, dark Novembery evening? To emerge from the bustling, subterranean bowels of Waverley Station and find yourself in the very heart of such a glorious city is a happy experience indeed. I hadn't been to edinburgh for years and had forgotten just how captivating it can be. Every monument was lit with golden floodlights-The castle and the Bank of Scotland headquarters on the hill, the Balmoral Hotel and the Scott Memorial down below-which gave them a certain eerie grandeur. The city was abustle with end-of-day activity. Buses swept thru Princes Street and shop and office workers hastened home to have their haggis and cock-a-leekie soup and indulge in a few skirls or whatever it is Scots do when the sun goes down."

"To a surprising extent, and far more than in Wales, Edinburgh felt like a different country. The buildings were thin and tall in an un-English fashion, the money was different, even the air and light felt different in some ineffable northern way. Every bookshop window was full of books about Scotland or by Scottish authors. And of course the voices were different. I walked along, feeling as if I had left England far behind."

"Let me say right there, flat out, that I have the greatest fondness and admiration for Scotland and her clever cheery-cheeked people. Did you know that Scotland produces more university students per capita than any other nation in Europe? And it has churned out a rollcall of worthies far out of proportion to its modest size, RL Stevenson, Watt, Lyell, Lister, Burns, Scott, Conan Dolyle, J.M. Barrie, Adam Smith, Alexander Graham Bell, Lord Kelvin, to name a few. Among much else we owe the Scots are whiskey, raincoats, wellies, the bicycle pedal, the telephone, tarmac, penicillin and an understanding of the active elements of cannabis, and think how insupportable life would be without those...

So thank you Scotland, and never mind that you seem quite unable to qualify for the World Cup these days..."

Bill Bryson, Notes from a Small Island

I have been here 20 days....

2007-09-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Now thats just crazy to think about! In those twenty days I have: made my dorm a home, opened a bank account (sorta), made new friends, actually gotten excited about my thesis, and kept up with most everyone from the states. I would say I am doing pretty well. Here are some pictures of some of the things us crazy kids have been up to.

We went to the National Museum of Scotland here in Edinburgh, and saw none other than our own Andy Warhol exhibit. It was fun, and the interactive art was the best i think.

Then we went to the Royal Botanical Gardens, and it was green, and nice, and reminded me of home. We went to see an exhibit of William Eggleston's photographs, he is a native mississippian.

Then we went on a ghost tour, where the woman/crazy tour guide claimed edinburgh was one of the most haunted cities in europe...and apparently she didn't like james very much, because he got to demonstrate the torture techniques used in the old days. Edinburgh is like three cities built on one. During the plague, they pretty much shut down the lower city, because it was so disease ridden. So the people just kinda suffered and died down there, as they built the other city on top. The tour guide took us down into the old city...it was crazy.

So anyway, things are well, I am learning alot, my thesis is actually coming along well. And I actually like drinking tea after my meals now :)

TTYL!
Leah

School!

2007-09-14T10:32:00.001-07:00

Well, School has begun, sorta. I have met with my advisor who is a such a sweet english lady, she has invited me to dinner on friday, thats just how they are. Here are some pictures from my adventures these days.

I got flowers to spruice up my room from a secret admirer from the states. It was very sweet.

This is the school of divinity, and where they filmed some of harry potter

This is the main gate of the school in the city center.

Here are my new Canadian friends

So true...

Pictures!

2007-09-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

This is me near death at the airport.

my street, yes that is cobblestone...

view from MY WINDOW

Same

The fresh market, i go and grab fruit in the morning :)

mosque outside my window

My room!

Overall, i love it! I am having a great time, this city is perfect for wandering, so many perfect little shops and amazing scenery! I am starting school soon, so pray for me!

Leah

after over 24 hours in airports of the world

2007-09-07T14:55:00.001-07:00

i made it, and my bags for that matter!!!!!

and its cold!!!!

gotta go!

talk back real soon, when internet doesnt cost a million dollars...or pounds that is

DO IT!

2007-09-03T10:23:00.001-07:00

http://www.skype.com/

I stole this quote from Betsy

2007-08-31T12:21:00.001-07:00

When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch.

When years described me as mature, the remedy prescribed was middle age.

In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job.

Nothing has worked.

-John Steinbeck- Travels with Charley

My Room has exploded...clothing

2007-08-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

And it really has..I never knew I possessed so many clothes..in fact I feel like I wear the same ones over and over, that is, until I go overseas and want to take my entire closet...sigh...
I had my last night at church on Wednesday, and it was super sad, but I know the kids will be checking up on me here. which makes me happy, hopefully I will have far more interesting stuff then my present clothing disaster, although I do believe they would think that is pretty humorous...

Here are some pictures from my going away luau at church and my ordination. I miss you gals and guys!

My First Post

2007-08-23T09:38:00.001-07:00

Two weeks today I will be here! Well really in the airport..but stay tuned!