It has been just over a month since I first arrived in Scotland, and the same is also about how long it feels like I've been here. When I look back on everything that has passed, I think of two exciting weekend trips to a beach and a castle; the first day of classes; the many different people, all unique in their own way, - which is a truism, but made much more vivid being manifested externally as well as internally, that is, having been used to people from the same ethnic and geographical background - who have stumbled across my path; and the flood of emotions that have been there through it all. But I have talked enough about my insides in the previous blogs, and it's about time I said something touching the happenings around me.

I almost feel as if I shouldn't talk about sports, but that would be to leave out some of the most significant events that have thus far occurred. Our team had it's first game last Wednesday night at St. Andrews. The drive down the coast took a good three hours, but with the North Sea on our left and the Cairgorn mountains on our right, it made for a very pleasant road trip. You can always tell a Scotch countryside by its soft undulating hills and the long rock walls that separate the farmers' fields.

From the little I saw of St. Andrews, it is a quaint town, with medium-sized granite buildings and houses, rough cobble-stone streets, and the same Aberdonian smell of the sea. Moreover, it seemed as though all roads led to the Old Course - the home golf, where the game was first played - for at every intersection and every round-about was a sign that pointed to the clubhouse or the Old Course hotel. I was really hoping to see it, but the gym was on the other side of town. Only those of you who play golf will understand my disappointment.

St. Andrews University is known to house the majority of the American students who are studying abroad in Scotland, so it was no surprise when the 'Yankees' killed us by 30 points. No more need be said about that.

I recently learned that two of the five students in my Greek class are married! One, a friendly 22 year-old girl, having just recently tied the knot, and the other, a stout, sensible Irish man, who looks much younger than his age, which he told me today is 37! A bit different than Gustavus! Though it makes for a much more relaxed atmosphere, for neither of them seem to have that timid and awkward feeling in a classroom like so many students.

I have also decided to return to Gustavus for the spring semester; a decision that made itself plain to me within a very short time. I should not have to say that that means I don't enjoy it over here; but as part of a family, a college, and a community, I ought not to be away for more than a semester. Of course it is different in each situation (one of my International advisors told me the longer abroad the better), but I feel as if this short stay away from home has been like going to a moral doctor, no, that's a bad expression, like an extended prayer, which has opened my ever-hardening eyes and reminded me of the important things in life. Every harsh judment, every mean opinion, every low desire, every secret grudge I have held in the past has been washed away for a time, leaving nothing but the pure shine of love! Time and distance away from family and friends has briefly opened the flood-gates of my heart in deep gratitude and gilded the loves of my life - as if I was a child again. I believe that's the main lesson God intends for me while I'm over here, and a semester's length of time ought to be enough to make me mind what I'm about, to be vigilant of myself, lest I should start thinking less of others and more about myself again.

Cheers!